By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A Grade 1 girl from Mandlethu Primary School in Tsakane, Brakpan, died on Tuesday after eating the biscuits bought at a local spaza shop.
The pupil died shortly after experiencing health complications in class.
The Department of Education in Gauteng says police are investigating the circumstances that led to the child’s death.
“According to information at our disposal, the parents confirmed that the child had consumed biscuits which were bought from a local spaza shop owned by foreign nationals,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane’s spokesperson Xolani Mkhwemte.
The department will deploy the Psycho-Social Support Unit, to provide trauma support and counselling to all affected individuals on Wednesday.
“We plead with parents to be vigilant concerning the edible goods that their children consume,” said Mkhwente.
“We call upon law enforcement agencies and municipalities to be more stringent on compliance matters related to spaza shop products.”
This is the latest in a spate of incidents in Gauteng where pupils lost their lives after eating food bought from spaza shops.
In 2023, several cases of suspected food poisoning were reported across the country, including in the Eastern Cape.
In October, about 120 schoolchildren from the Eastern Cape were admitted to a hospital after they complained of food-poisoning symptoms. The pupils, aged 8 to 19, experienced stomach aches, vomiting, and itchiness.