The community of Alexandra is up in arms demanding that foreign-owned spaza shops be shut down following the death of an 11-year-old child after allegedly consuming poisoned snacks. The mother and the younger siblings have also been admitted to the hospital and are receiving medical treatment. The community went to the said spaza shop but it turns out that the owners had already fled and allegedly went to open a case at the police station 

The father of the deceased said his family complained about chest and stomach pains before one of his daughters died. He said, "My 11-year-old girl complained about the taste of the snack and asked her mom to taste it. By the time their mom tasted it, the four-year-old had already eaten the snack. After an hour my daughter came from the toilet complaining about chest pains. We took her to Masakhane Clinic and on the way she was unable to breathe. When we got to the clinic, I dropped her at the emergency room but shortly after that, we were called to be informed of her passing. While still there, their mother complained about stomach pains, and she was admitted. I called a neighbour to assist in transporting my four-year-old boy whom we left home so that he could get medical attention as well. They were both taken to Edenvale Hospital. Their mother is in a critical condition."

WE'VE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM 

The landlord who rented out space for the spaza says she feels bad because a child has died. "No parent deserves to lose a child. To be honest, I don't even know the day-to-day runnings of the shop and also don't know where they buy their stock. I've been trying to call them to come back because they've been operating this shop for a while and we've never had problems. Although I've never seen their documentation they told me that they are legal in the country as they are from Zimbabwe. They need to come back and show us where they buy stock."

CALL FOR CALM

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said police have called for calm whilst investigations continue after a girl lost her life after allegedly consuming what is suspected to be poisoned snacks in Alexandra. " An inquest case is currently being investigated following the incident. A team of police Investigators in collaboration with health experts and other role players will be investigating the allegations made concerning the food consumed by the victims before falling ill." The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, urged community members to allow investigators space to do their work. "We have established a team of experts that are working with our government partners to investigate the death. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased child and wish a swift recovery to the mother and the other child" said Mthombeni.