The Alexandra community is demanding the immediate closure of a foreign-owned spaza shop following the tragic death of an 11-year-old girl who allegedly consumed poisoned snacks.
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for action, with the community expressing deep concern over the safety of food sold at local spaza shops. The child’s mother and younger sibling are currently hospitalised, receiving treatment for suspected poisoning.
The deceased child's father recounted the harrowing events leading up to his daughter's death.
"My 11-year-old girl complained about the taste of the snack and asked her mom to taste. By the time their mom tasted it, the four-year-old had already eaten the snack. After an hour my daughter came from the toilet complaining about chest pains. We took her to Masakhane Clinic and on the way she was unable to breathe. When we got to the clinic, I dropped her at the emergency room, but shortly after that, we were called to be informed of her passing.
"While still there, their mother complained about stomach pains, she was admitted. I called a neighbour to assist in transporting my four-year-old boy whom we left home so that he could get medical attention as well. They were both taken to Edenvale hospital. Their mother is in a critical condition," he said.
Following the incident, community members visited the spaza shop, only to find it deserted. The shop owners had reportedly fled the scene and allegedly gone to the police station to report a separate matter. The landlord of the premises expressed her sorrow and concern.
"No parent deserves to lose a child. To be honest, I don't even know the day-to-day runnings of the shop and also don't know where they buy their stock. I've been trying to call them to come back because they've been operating this shop for a while and we've never had problems.
"Although I've never seen their documentation, they told me that they are legal in the country as they are from Zimbabwe. They need to come back and show us where they buy stock," she stated.
In response to the incident, South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi appealed for calm while investigations are underway.
"An inquest case is currently being investigated following the incident. A team of police investigators in collaboration with health experts and other role players will be investigating the allegations made concerning the food consumed by the victims before falling ill," she explained.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, echoed this call for calm, urging community members to allow investigators the space to conduct a thorough investigation.
"We have established a team of experts that are working with our partners in government to investigate the death. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased child and wish a swift recovery to the mother and the other child," said Mthombeni.
