EXCLUSIVE: Panic as fake condoms scare hits Gauteng, with SABS distancing itself from its logo on condom packs

Some Gauteng residents have been living in fear after using what they thought were counterfeit condoms sold at spaza shops dotted across the province.

IOL has been conducting an investigation into the authenticity of numerous packs of Trust condoms under the “studded” variety which has the sky-blue packaging.

In Sunnyside, some residents noticed conspicuous discrepancies on the packaging of the Trust condoms and panicked after realising that the quality seemed to be compromised on the other packaging.

After engaging in sexual intercourse using what he believed to be a legitimate pack of condoms, bought at a spaza shop along Reitz Street in Sunnyside, Desmond Mpofu (not his real name) struggled to brush off the worry on his mind. He noticed the difference in colour from the clear colour he was used to.

“I am a single man and a father of four children. Worry ate at me but I could not show the woman I was with, because that would instill panic in her. I later bought another pack from the same shop and realised that this packaging was not in line with what I know. I have been using this brand for a decade and I know it well, if I analyse the pack," he said.

“I panicked and had to do an HIV test, but the healthcare workers told me that I will still need to do another test. The condoms in same studded variety of Trust condoms being sold at pharmacies and other legitimate outlets are different from what we are buying from these spaza shops. The inscription outside the packs is also different. This is a matter of life and death, considering the prevalence of HIV in our country.” 

The IOL investigation also ventured into the heavily populated Hillbrow, where the seemingly fake condoms are on sale from spaza shops, for R20.

Sex workers who spoke to IOL said they have known about the “fake condoms” for a while, and that is why they insist on having their own condoms for their transactional sex.

“I use the government-issued condoms because my friends and I are well aware that we cannot trust these condoms sold at spaza shops. They are fake, and no one knows their origin,” said Sibo, a mother of two.

“I even think they are re-used, for money people can do anything these days. In my work, the risk is much and I have to protect myself. I insist on using my own condoms because I trust what the government hospitals give us.”

During the IOL investigation, the suspicious packs of condoms were also picked up in places including Atteridgeville, Tembisa, Mamelodi, Joburg CBD, Pretoria central, and Soweto.

Real vs fake — the difference

The clearly visible difference between the two is on the packaging of the box with three sealed condoms.

The ones bought from spaza shops were in a closed box which is not sealed at all. The unsealed boxes can be reused. Condoms of the same Trust brand bought at well-established shops are in tightly sealed boxes which can only be used once.

The other glaring difference is that some packs of the sky-blue studded Trust condoms are written “Compliant with WHO specifications”, with a label stating “studded” or “smooth” while the suspicious packs bought in spaza shops are written “World Health Organization compliant” with no label of the variety.

Armed with this information, IOL approached statutory body, the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) which is the authority responsible for the promotion and maintenance of standardiaation and quality in connection with commodities in the country.

The SABS said it does not regulate the importing of condoms into South Africa and the function falls in the ambit of the national Department of Health.

“Producing condoms in South Africa involves detailed process to ensure they meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Requirements for packaging of condoms are stated in ISO 4074:2015/SANS 4074:2017,” the SABS said in its written response to IOL.

On the glaring differences on the packaging, SABS stated that SANS4074 approved condom boxes will be written Compliant with WHO specifications, and they will be labelled “studded” or “smooth”.

“The counterfeit condoms will have World Health Organization compliant and will be dull and very fragile. This means that there is a SABS mark scheme [being] abused by producers of fake condoms."

Regarding the sealing of the individual boxes containing three condoms, SABS said ISO/SANS 4074 details sealing specifications for condom wraps but not for condom boxes.

“However, consumers must shy away from products that are defective or look like their quality has been compromised,” SABS responded.

Authentic condoms must comply with SANS 4074 and include specific labelling requirements, such as:

• Type or texture (studded or smooth)
• SABS certification mark (if certified)
• Expiry date and batch number
• Manufacturer’s details

SABS said lack of this information may indicate non-compliance.

Additionally, SABS has raised red flags on the boxes of condoms written “World Health Organization compliant”.

“This phrasing might be misleading, as the World Health Organization (WHO) does not directly certify products. Instead, the WHO provides technical specifications for condoms under the WHO/UNPA Prequalification Program for manufacturers to meet. ‘Compliant with WHO specifications’ - this is more precise and suggests adherence to specific WHO recommended standards. It indicates that the product likely underwent testing to meet WHO’s international safety and quality guidelines."

Regarding the dull packing on the condom boxes bought in spaza shops, SABS said ISO/SANS 4074 specifications allow for variation in colours - plain, red, yellow, purple etc, and design - smooth, studded etc.

“Nothing is stated about the brightness and glossiness of the package, nor the dullness,” said SABS.

The SABS said it is “deeply concerned about possible circulation of counterfeit condoms” and the potential health and safety risks they pose to the public.

“The organisation is committed to protecting consumers and ensuring that all products, including condoms, meet the required safety, quality, and performance standards.”

The SABS stated that while its mandate is to ensure products meet standards before certification, it does not have the authority to enforce compliance or remove non-compliant products from the market.

“Counterfeit and substandard products fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies, which work with regulators to address fraud and illegal activities. The national Department of Health is the regulator responsible for ensuring that good quality products are sourced and distributed to the South African public,” according to SABS.

IOL has contacted the national Department of Health and this story will be updated once the departmental response has been received.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL