Another Diepkloof Child Dies After Eating Spaza Shop Food
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed deep sorrow over the death of an 8-year-old Grade 2 learner from Thabisile Primary School in Diepkloof, Soweto. The young girl passed away on Friday, November 22 no, after falling ill earlier in the week.
According to reports, the learner consumed biscuits purchased from a local spaza shop on Wednesday, November 20. Her condition deteriorated over the next two days, leading to her being rushed to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, where she was sadly pronounced deceased.
The exact cause of death has not yet been determined, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the circumstances behind this tragic incident.
This incident follows a similar case in Diepkloof Zone 3 earlier in the week, where 5-year-old Siyabonga Mnisi, a Grade R learner from Dumezweni Primary School, also passed away after consuming snacks allegedly bought from a foreign-owned spaza shop. Three other learners from the same school were hospitalized with severe symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. The police are investigating both cases, and calls for stricter food safety regulations in spaza shops have intensified.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has deployed its Psycho-Social Support Unit to Thabisile Primary School to provide counseling services to the affected family, learners, and staff.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and school community during this difficult time. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all learners and will continue to monitor developments closely,” said MEC Chiloane.
As these tragic events unfold, community members are calling for stricter food safety checks in township spaza shops. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced measures to close illegal spaza shops and enforce mandatory registration to address safety concerns.
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