Orrin Singh8 October 2024 | 12:14

Soweto police on guard as community attempts to raid spaza shops after deaths of 5 children

This follows claims that the five children died from consuming chips bought from a spaza shop on Thlathlane street in Naledi, owned by a foreign national.

Soweto police on guard as community attempts to raid spaza shops after deaths of 5 children

Six children died after consuming chips bought from a spaza shop – understood to be owned by a foreign national - on Thlathlane Street in Naledi, Soweto. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - Police in Naledi have their hands full as local community members are attempting to raid spaza shops in the area following the death of five children on Sunday. 

On Tuesday, angry residents in the Soweto township marched from shop to shop to determine whether the owners were foreign nationals or not. 

This follows claims that the five children died after consuming chips bought from a spaza shop on Thlathlane Street in Naledi, owned by a foreign national. 

Speaking to Eyewitness News, a woman - who preferred to remain anonymous - said the notion of foreign-owned shops holds no weight. 

“I don't think Pakistani-owned shops are the reason the children died. I bought a cold drink from this shop yesterday [Monday] and nothing happened to me.”