Families of the deceased children following food poisoning from local spaza shops demand government intervention, as the number of deaths increases.
According to the news publication, IOL, six children died in Naledi, Soweto after they purchased snacks from the spaza shop, adding that, over 47 schoolchildren from Ralepogo Primary School and 35 from Makahule Primary School have been hospitalised after experiencing symptoms of food poisoning.
Whilst families continue to grieve their children, communities feel that the government should step in and shut down all foreign-owned shops in their communities.
Speaking to the news publication, City Press regarding the children’s deaths in Naledi, Thabiso Kobuoe who recently lost his 7-year-old nephew Katelgo Olifant said, “Our community has lost too many children to things that should never have reached their hands. Someone has to pay for this.”
According to the South African news publication, Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi asked the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) to intervene as a way to prohibit the deaths of children.
The department’s explanation for this dates back to cases reported years ago regarding food poisoning, adding that, despite the cause of this disease not being known, “It is the NICD that mounted a country-wide search that led to the identification of the source. The Minister thought that experience would come in handy in the situation the country is faced with today.”
Minister of Sports, arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie weighed in on this causing many internet users to feel that his comments towards government issues should be subjected to his portfolio.
South Africans has been exercising maximum restraint & discipline. We are now burying our kids weekly. We as government should act and act fast before people wrongfully take law into own hands. What do we owe these illegal foreigners ? Let them go.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 20, 2024
Leave that one alone, let’s talk about what’s within your Portfolio wena Minister of Sports.
Why are right of a national team being sold to private individuals? pic.twitter.com/GnrE4Esvoy
— Malome (@fntse) October 21, 2024
Also see; Are foreign nationals in South Africa a cause for concern?
