Staff Reporter.
Johannesburg Council Speaker Colleen Makhubele has called for calm amid the anger at the foreign-owned spaza shops in Naledi, Soweto.
The community is up in arms after two children died, after eating poisonous biscuits they had bought from the foreign-owned spaza shop.
The two boys died on Sunday, while two girls are fighting for their lives at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
The two Grade 1 boys attended Kgauhelo and Karabo primary schools.
Makhubele said, “We are all deeply disturbed and calling for the investigation to be concluded speedily, for us to get clarity on why and how the shop was able to operate and sell expired products to their community. We are also seeking answers from health inspectors, which unravels a deeper issue of the monitoring of food sold in our townships and informal communities.”
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said, the incident served as a grave reminder to parents and guardians to exercise caution with regard to the safety and well-being of students.
“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,” the MEC said.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.