Thursday 28 November 2024 – THE heartbroken mom of a toddler killed in a house fire caused by a faulty plug adaptor has backed Tax Justice SA’s (TJSA) campaign against the illicit trade in non-compliant electrical products.
Grief-stricken Wendy Labuschagne believes most people remain unaware of the lethal dangers posed by substandard electrical goods. She is now calling on regulators to take stronger action to prevent further tragedies like the one that shattered her family.
“As a family, we know all too well that the TJSA campaign against non-compliant electrical products is a fight worth fighting,” Wendy said. “Only awareness of the dangers of unregulated electrical products will prevent further tragic stories like ours.”
“Roughly six hours after we had raced out of our home, Matthew lost his battle. In a blink of an eye, our lives changed for ever.”
The Labuschagnes could not bear to move back into the house once it was restored and now live with 13-year-old son Kaeden in Parkmore, Sandton. Nothing can erase the devastating effects of the faulty plug adapter, purchased from a supermarket.
“The plug was next to Matthew’s toy box at the foot of his bed, and the flames were very intense,” Wendy said. “We had no idea that something as simple as a plug could cause such a tragedy.”
Wendy and her family had been among the many South Africans unaware of the hidden dangers posed by non-compliant electrical products. “We were oblivious to the risks,” Wendy admits. “It’s been 15 years since Matthew’s death, and we’ve always tried to buy the best and safest. But we need better education to warn people that some things aren’t always what they seem.”
TJSA’s campaign aims to address the growing problem of non-compliant electrical goods flooding the retail market. A recent survey of South Africa’s top electro-technical companies revealed that nearly 80% of industry leaders are “very concerned” about the increasing presence of unsafe electrical products. These goods not only pose a risk to consumers but also contribute to widespread tax evasion, costing businesses billions in lost revenue.
TJSA founder Yusuf Abramjee emphasised the deadly consequences of this trade: “Matthew Labuschagne’s tragic story is a stark reminder that this is not just about lost revenue and jobs – it’s about life and death.”
TJSA is demanding action from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), which is under pressure to address the ongoing sale of dangerous electrical products that have been reported but remain available for purchase.
“Rogue suppliers are exploiting loopholes, flooding the market with unsafe products, and dodging import duties,” said Abramjee. “These products are easily accessible, especially online, and the authorities who are supposed to protect us are doing little to stop it.”
TJSA is urging the government and enforcement agencies, including the NRCS, to take immediate action to prevent further loss of life. Abramjee cited the recent deaths of at least 22 children from food poisoning as a stark reminder of how South Africa’s failure to enforce retail regulations has deadly consequences. “Waiting until more children die is simply too little, too late,” he said.
Wendy, a dietician, is determined to ensure that other families are spared her heartache. “People are blind to the dangers that lie under our beds and desks,” she said. “We need to raise awareness and demand that authorities do their job. No parent should have to go through what we did.”
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