In the wake of a devastating tragedy that claimed the lives of five children in Naledi, Soweto, the Gauteng Department of Economic Development launched an urgent compliance blitz across the area, targeting spaza shops suspected of selling unsafe products. This operation, conducted in partnership with the Office of Consumer Affairs, the National Consumer Commission, and the City of Johannesburg, aims to prevent further incidents by investigating shops for expired foods, fake products, and other violations.
The children, aged between six and nine, allegedly consumed snacks from a local spaza shop before falling seriously ill. They complained of stomach pains, headaches, and drowsiness after returning home from playing. Despite efforts to feed and comfort them, their symptoms worsened, and they began vomiting a yellow-brown substance. Tragically, all five children passed away, and a seventh child remains in intensive care.
Heartbroken families, including Dumisani Masilela, who lost his daughter Zinhle, are hoping the hospitalized boy will recover and provide crucial answers about what the children ate. “What did they eat? Where did they buy it from? At this point, the children left us with more questions than answers,” Masilela said.
Medical experts have suggested that the children may have been poisoned, with early reports pointing to rat poison as a possible cause. The shop where the snacks were allegedly purchased has since been closed, and Gauteng police have opened an inquest into the deaths.
In response to the tragedy, the Department of Economic Development expanded its inspections across the greater Soweto area, including Naledi, Tladi, and Protea, to assess compliance with health and safety regulations. Numerous stores were found selling expired food, counterfeit goods, and unregistered or expired medication. All non-compliant stores were shut down, and the confiscated contraband is set to be destroyed.
“This operation is about safeguarding our communities. We cannot allow shops to sell unsafe, unregulated products that put lives at risk,” said a spokesperson for the department. “We urge residents to stop supporting illegal spaza shops and renting out space to businesses that don’t comply with the law.”
The department stressed the importance of community vigilance and called on residents to report any suspicious activities or unsafe products being sold in their neighborhoods. Law enforcement will continue monitoring the area, with arrests expected for any illegal operators found hiding out in spaza shops.
The tragedy has brought to light the urgent need for tighter regulation and inspection of small, local businesses, especially those selling food items. Authorities hope the blitz will send a strong message to other non-compliant shops and prevent further loss of life.
