Tensions were high earlier today in Naledi, Soweto, after a spaza shop owner who allegedly sold suspected poisoned biscuits and juice to four kids was seen removing some groceries items from his shop. Two children Neo Khang and Leon Jele both aged 6, died while two of their peers were rushed to hospital.
TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE
The owner of the shop allegedly fled the area after the incident while community members ordered foreign owned spaza shops to close down. Despite this plea, the spaza owner in question opened his shop last night and allegedly removed some food items which angered the community. One of the residents who only wanted to be identified as Dimpho, said although they were angry, they will not loot the shop because they want the police to collect evidence. "We want to know what our kids ate for them to die suddenly. These people are killing us. I think it’s time locals took back the spaza business because now we are being fed rot," she said. Spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg Nthatisi Modingoane said their environmental health practitioner has taken the samples of the biscuits for testing and that the test results would be released soon.
A LOSS TO THE DEPARTMENT
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane expressed devastation over the unfortunate deaths of the two Grade 1 boy learners from Kgauhelo Primary School and Karabo Primary School, who passed away on Sunday. Two other Grade 1 girl learners from Ikemeleng Primary School are currently in a critical condition and are receiving medical care at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital after allegedly eating these snacks from the same spaza shop. Chiloane urged parents to be extra vigilant of what their children consume and safeguard their wellbeing. "This incident serves as a grave reminder to parents and guardians to exercise utmost caution when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of our learners. It is imperative that we remain vigilant and ensure that our children are not exposed to harmful substances. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate this matter thoroughly. We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the affected families and wish the two hospitalised learners a speedy recovery," said MEC Chiloane.
