Suspected Soweto food poisoning: Lesufi to visit families of 5 children who died
The victims allegedly consumed chips from a spaza shop and died shortly afterwards at a local clinic on Sunday.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi in studio with Clement Manyathela. Picture: Karabo Tebele/702
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is set to visit the families of five Soweto children who died after allegedly consuming poisonous goods from a local spaza shop.
Police in the area are monitoring the tense situation on the ground, as community members have threatened to shut down foreign-owned shops, and pinned the ordeal on them.
The victims allegedly consumed chips from a spaza shop and died shortly afterwards at a local clinic on Sunday.
This is the second incident of this nature to rock the community in less than a year.
Last October, two boys died after consuming snacks from a shop in the same area.
Joseph Sebetwane, the father of six-year-old Monica Sebetwane, who was one of the victims - questioned who would be next.
"I couldn't imagine my child would be one of those but it happened. Even with the very first children, we were so very hurt about what happened, that the entire community was up in arms. My question is whose child is going to follow next."
The Gauteng provincial government has rallied behind the families of the five children.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the victims’ families have outlined the harrowing experience of losing their children in quick succession.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is expected to join Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko and MMC Ennie Makhafola in the area on Tuesday afternoon.
MEC Mazibuko has weighed in on the tragic incident:
“The journey that they are going through is not an easy journey, but it is a very difficult journey. No parent wants to ever lose his or her loved ones. Our presence here is also to make them feel comfortable that even in difficult times they have shoulders they can cry on.”