Four children from Naledi Extension, Soweto, have died after consuming snacks bought from a local spaza shop.
Four Kids Dead After Eating Snacks from Local Spaza Shop
The tragedy unfolded on Sunday, 6 October, when five kids between six and nine purchased the snacks. One child remains in critical condition in the hospital.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the grim news. She stated:
“Police have opened an inquest docket after five kids. were declared dead at local clinics on 6 October 2024.”
The exact circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear as authorities conduct their investigations.
The Food Pandemic
This is not the first incident of its kind in the community.
Last month, three children in Mdantsane died from suspected food poisoning after consuming instant porridge purchased from a supermarket. The Buffalo City Metro urged supermarkets and spaza shops to inspect their products carefully and suspend the sale of the suspected porridge.
In October 2023, three children in Naledi, Soweto, died after allegedly eating expired biscuits bought from a local spaza shop. Two children died on the same day, while another passed away later, and a fourth child was hospitalised in critical condition. The community was outraged, leading to tensions and calls for the closure of foreign-owned spaza shops.
The community reacted swiftly to the recent tragedy, with residents closing the spaza shop where the snacks were purchased. Many are now calling for stricter regulations on spaza shops to prevent further tragedies.
That same month, two children in Bekkersdal, West Rand, died of suspected food poisoning after eating snacks bought from a local taxi rank.
Authorities in South Africa have expressed deep concern and are taking action following the tragic deaths of children from consuming snacks purchased at spaza shops. The Department of Small Businesses’ Consumer Protection Unit is actively inspecting and confiscating illegal and expired goods from spaza shops.