(click here to listen to a 25 minute radio program on Pokemon,
produced by Good News Community Radio)

The blatantly occult game of Pokemon is being promoted by Simba Chips in South Africa. Christians for Truth has asked its members and other concerned members of the public to appeal to Simba to have their products, which carry the Pokemon cards, removed from shop shelves across the country, so that "our children are not exposed to danger."

According to the CFT Press Statement of 17 November 2000:

Reports have reached us of children fainting and hearing strange voices after eating Simba chips which contain Pokemon cards. Children and parents are outraged that spiritistic symbols, which have achieved the status of `religious fetishes' around the world, should be connected to a food product.

Pokemon is short for POCKEt MONster and pronounced "Pokeymon".

The Simba Chips packets in question have a blue strip around them stating: "Pokemon Taz's" and that there are "30 Different Tazos to be found in Simba, Cheetos & Niknaks Packs".

There is overwhelming evidence, internationally and locally, that Pokemon has caused psychological harm to many children. A number of South African schools have now banned the game because of the damage it causes. The Natal Mercury (9 November 2000) reports that police are investigating a case of a 14-year-old Tongaat boy, who apparently committed suicide because of his obsession with the Pokemon Tazos collection (the same collection promoted by Simba Chips). Ajen Ramsamooch was found hanging in his parent's home and in a note found in his hand, Ajen said `Ash', one of the Pokemon collectibles, "was calling him."

Please do your part in appealing to Simba, and other companies involved in promoting Pokemon, to immediately withdraw all these products from retailers throughout South Africa. Companies should not be allowed to sink to the level of endangering children for economic gain.

The Customer Service telephone number of Simba Chips is: 086 1100097. Their fax number is: 011 974 8307.