Tragedy has struck the community of Naledi, Soweto, again. Exactly a year ago, two kids died from suspected food poisoning after they allegedly ate biscuits bought from a local spaza shop. This time, four kids from two different schools died, while the fifth is fighting for his life in an intensive care unit in the hospital also after eating poisoned snacks bought at two different spaza shops.

SUSPECTED POISONOUS SNACKS

On 2 October last year, four boys reportedly bought biscuits from their local spaza shop, ate them, and then fell sick shortly after that and two passed away in hospital the same day while the other two survived after spending weeks in ICU. This time, it's alleged that the five kids got sick immediately after eating snacks bought from the spaza shop in two different incidents.

Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane confirmed the deaths of three children who are from Karabo Primary School and one from Khauhelo Primary School, both in Soweto. Chiloane said the learners died yesterday after consuming food that is suspected to have been poisoned. Chiloane said a grade 1 learner, a grade 2 learner, and a grade 3 learner from Karabo Primary School passed away, while a grade 1 boy learner from the same school remains in the ICU at a local medical facility after also having consumed the food. "In a separate incident, an 8-year-old grade 2 boy from Khauhelo Primary School also passed away on the same day after allegedly consuming snacks purchased from a spaza shop in Naledi," Chiloane added.

POLICE INVESTIGATING

The MEC confirmed that the police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the kids deaths. "We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and school communities affected by these tragic incidents. The safety and well-being of our learners remain our top priority, and we urge parents, guardians, and communities to exercise caution regarding the food consumed by children," he added. The department spokesperson Steve Mabona said that together with the affected schools, they have activated the necessary support structures to provide psycho-social counselling to affected learners, educators, and family members.