Naledi community set to discuss mass memorial for 5 children who died after eating goods from spaza shop

JOHANNESBURG - The community of Naledi in Soweto is set to meet on Tuesday morning to discuss a mass memorial for five children who died after allegedly consuming goods from a spaza shop.

The victims, aged between six and ten, died within minutes of each other, sending shockwaves through the community.

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In an incident a year ago, two children died under similar circumstances.

The lives of the five children were cut short after they died on Sunday afternoon, within minutes of each other.

The children had allegedly consumed chips from a spaza shop on Tlhathlhane Street, which was later looted and shut down by angry community members.

Joseph Sebetwane, whose six-year-old daughter, Monica, died in his arms at home, said she had a bright future.

"She was doing grade R, and she was saying, ‘After grade R, I will be seven and doing to grade one, and after that I will be in grade two and eight.’ Then she was saying after she finishes school, she will build a big house. She loved a big house, and I would encourage her and say that she would do it after school."

The community will band together on Tuesday morning in support of the bereaved families.