Naledi spaza shop owners will be charged if they're linked to deaths of 6 children - Motsoaledi
Government gave a briefing on Monday confirming that deadly organophosphates known as terbufos caused the deaths earlier in October.
Five children died after consuming chips bought from a spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi said they would be charging spaza shop owners in Naledi once a link was drawn between the chemical found in the systems of the six children who died and their establishments.
Government gave a briefing on Monday confirming that deadly organophosphates known as terbufos caused the deaths earlier in October.
The pesticides are usually used in agriculture by certified users.
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The children fell ill after sharing snacks they had bought from a local spaza shop.
One of the children who fell ill was found with a packet of crisps in his pocket that he bought from the local spaza shop.
Motsoaledi said the packet was tested for the organophosphates found in the children’s systems, and it came back negative.
He said swabs taken from the spaza shop are being tested by the National Health Laboratory to establish a link between the pesticide and the shop.
“Whether spaza shop owners will be charged? Yes, if we are able to make this link,” the minister said.
Motsoaledi said officials suspect that the spaza shop owners were using the chemicals for pest control against rats.