Lerato Mbhiza
Two children from the West Rand have passed away after allegedly eating poisonous food they bought from a taxi rank on Wednesday night.
The incident comes days after two four-year-old-children in Naledi in Soweto died allegedly after eating biscuits from a foreign-owned spaza shop.
Provincial police commissioner Elias Mawela said that police investigations were underway to determine the cause of death.
“Two children bought some food. Unfortunately, we’ve lost those two children. The other three who were treated and discharged, they’re going to help us to look for the people who sold the food to them.”
The latest incident of children being killed after allegedly consuming food bought from spaza shops is unfortunately not the first .
In 2021 two siblings from Mpumalanga died after sharing a packet of noodles bought from a spaza shop. Thato Makofane (9) and her brother, Keamoketswe (13), died within a short period of each other. Their death certificates stated that the cause of death was still under investigation.
The Gauteng Health Department’s outbreak response team took to the streets of Soweto trying to increase health awareness following the recent food poisoning incident in Naledi township.
The Department’s Motalatale Modiba stated they also sensitised the community on what to do when they are present with food poisoning symptoms, such as cramping, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
“When people present these symptoms, it’s important that they go to the nearest health facility for further management.”
Modiba said the team spent Wednesday in Naledi and surrounding areas engaging locals and conducting health education about food.
“The health education also covers spaza shops in the area and includes checking compliance in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics And Disinfectants Act and food labeling regulations.”
Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has called on all spheres of government to work together to enforce compliance with the relevant laws.
“The department is urging the public to visit their nearest health facilities when they present with symptoms such as: vomiting, sudden chest pains, body ache/weakness, fever or foam in the mouth.
“The outbreak response team comprising of, Environmental Health Practitioners (health inspectors) from the municipality and the province, Ward-Based Outreach Teams, Communicable Disease Control specialists, Surveillance Officer, Infection Control and Health Promoters will continue to conduct awareness campaigns in Naledi and surrounding areas on Thursday and Friday,” she said.
Johannesburg Council Speaker Colleen Makhubele has called for calm following threats against foreign spaza shop owners by the Naledi community.
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