By Johnathan Paoli
The Gauteng government says it is set on getting to the bottom of the food contamination crisis following another child dying on Wednesday.
Gauteng economic development and finance MEC Lebogang Maile visited the Diepkloof community on Thursday, following a five-year-old boy dying after exhibiting symptoms consistent with food poisoning.
He issued a stern warning to non-compliant spaza shop owners, who have been blamed for multiple deaths and hospitalisations across the country.
“We will not tolerate the sale of unsafe products that endanger the lives of our children,” Maile said.
Authorities are investigating the death, which has sparked renewed outrage in the community.
The child, a Grade R learner from Dumezweni Primary School, began vomiting and experiencing diarrhea after consuming snacks. It is believed that he purchased snacks from a local spaza shop.
He was rushed to a nearby clinic, where he was declared dead.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened.
“The cause of death is unknown at this stage, pending autopsy results,” she said.
Three other children from the same school who reportedly consumed the same snacks were also treated at a clinic, and were later transferred to another facility for further care. They are now in stable condition.
The MEC confirmed that the spaza shop in question has been shut down, pending further investigations. Health inspectors from the City of Johannesburg have taken samples for testing.
“As per the directive of the President, we have called for the immediate closure of the spaza shops to protect the community,” Maile said.
His comments come days after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced measures to address the crisis, including ordering the immediate closure of implicated spaza shops and giving unregistered retailers 21 days to comply with municipal regulations.
This latest death highlights a larger public health issue that has been unfolding across the province, with more than 890 cases of foodborne illness being reported since September, resulting in the deaths of 23 children.
The incidents are linked to chemical contamination in food sold at informal retailers, raising serious concerns about food safety in the province.
Community members in Diepkloof expressed outrage, demanding stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent further tragedies.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng education department has deployed its education support team to Dumezweni, in order to provide psychosocial services to affected learners and staff.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased learner and wish the hospitalised learners a speedy recovery,” said education MEC Matome Chiloane.
Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department has also called for increased vigilance in schools and communities to prevent further incidents.
He said the government’s multidisciplinary task team on food safety has been coordinating efforts to identify the sources of contamination, improve food safety standards and ensure accountability among informal retailers.
INSIDE EDUCATION
