/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The IFP in Gauteng extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the five (5) children who died untimely, allegedly due to food poisoning, after consuming snacks bought at a local spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto. The IFP Gauteng strongly condemns the trend of unscrupulous spaza shops selling unsafe and often expired food items to the most vulnerable children in Gauteng township and informal settlement areas.

The fact that these fatalities are not the first of their kind in the community of Naledi, is telling of the kind of uncaring attitude and impunity with which these unscrupulous spaza shops operate. Their actions in overlooking basic environmental health and the food health and safety standards of their products, shows little to no regard for the well-being of their consumers.

For us, the death of these young children is an indictment to the responding municipal authorities who are mandated to inspect and regulate the compliance of spaza shops with the applicable health and safety regulations, as per their operating permits. In this regard, the IFP strongly urges the Community Safety and Environmental Health departments to intensify inspections that ensure community safety against spaza shops selling contaminated foods.

The IFP once again wishes to convey its deepest sympathies and commiserate with the families who have lost their children in Naledi. We further wish for a speedy recovery to those children that survived the incident and are still hospitalised. We reiterate our commitment to continue calling for the relevant authorities to ensure that these fatalities are avoided in future. 


Issued by IFP Gauteng Provincial Chairperson Bonginkosi Dhlamini