Food Poisoning: Community Refuses To Be Consoled, After Burying 5 Children

Tears have continued to flow in a Soweto community after it buried 5 under 10 children who lost their lives to food poisoning.

The ten Karabo Rampou (9), Njabulo Msimanga (7), Zinhle Ida Maama (7), Monica Sebetwana (6) and Isago Mabote (8), had died allegedly after eating snacks bought from a Naledi spaza shop.

A sixth child is under observation at an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from eating the crisps obtained from a shop allegedly operated by a migrant, reports Daily Maverick and AOL.

Police have initiated five inquest dockets after five children in Naledi, Soweto, died allegedly after eating snacks from a local spaza shop. The shadow of a similar incident in 2023 looms large over the community.

The death of the five children in Naledi, Soweto through food poisoning, triggered spontaneous uproar with locals calling for the close of all suspected shops essentially owned by foreigners.

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In fact, local media reports cited South Africans declaring that enough was enough and the that those responsible should be made to leave.

The reactions were amidst the police taking remnants of the snacks for tests.

N24 quoting a victim’s grandmother identified as Agnes Mabote said:

“He ran into the house, his body shaking and rolling his eyes.

“He started vomiting. He complained about his stomach.

“He said he and his friends had eaten chips known as ‘brown dash’.

Family members (above) and other school children mourn the victims. Pictures by Gallo Images / Fani Mahuntsi

“He had some remnants in his back pocket.”

Though the grandmother rushed the child to the Bheki Mlangeni Hospital, the child was declared dead.

According to a Naledi police report, two of the children, Ida and Njabulo, died while receiving treatment at a local clinic. Isago and Karabo died while being treated by a doctor, and Monica died on arrival at the clinic.

Reports quote the police as saying the children had been playing together and bought snacks at a spaza shop on Maratwe Street, the owner of which was known only as Daniel.

Another report said Johannesburg health and social development MMC Ennie Makhafola has said the store had been inspected in August and found to be compliant with relevant regulations.

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However, a number of foreigner owned shops had already been forced to close down,

“These young souls were filled with dreams, laughter and potential,” Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said, speaking at the memorial service in Soweto on Friday.

“Today, we stand not only in mourning but also in outrage. We are angry and we cannot remain silent any longer. It is time to rise up and ensure that this tragedy never happens.”

He also promised justice for the victims of the food poisoning.