Calls mount for foreign nationals to shutdown their spaza shops and leave the country

October 6, 2023 289

Residents hold placards as they protest against the rise of crime in the area in Diepsloot, South Africa, on April 6, 2022. (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO / AFP)

Operation Dudula says the time has come for foreign spaza shop owners to leave communities, as children cannot keep dying because of the products they sell.

The anti-migrant movement’s call follows the tragic death of at least five children in separate cases in Gauteng due to food poisoning.

It comes hot on the heels of calls from Soweto residents who want all local spaza shops vetted and shutdown if found wanting.

Operation Dudula national spokesperson, Zandile Dabula, says action needs to be taken urgently to ensure safety of South African children.

However, Dabula says, their call for foreign spaza shop owners to immediately leave the country does not mean they are condoning any form of criminality.

Concerns about the food safety emerged on Monday when news of the passing away of two young boys from Naledi emerged. The had allegedly consumed biscuits and juice purchased from a local tuck shop, which is allegedly owned by a Pakistani national.

Two of their acquittances are fighting for their lives in hospital.

A 14-year-old teenage boy also died in Protea North on Tuesday after eating chips allegedly bought from another local spaza shop.

In the West Rand, two boys, aged two and three respectively, died after eating chips and sweets they bought from a vendor. Two others are fighting for their lives in hospital.

The family of four-year-old Katlego Mbatha from Naledi, who is fighting for his life, is demanding justice.

Family spokesperson, Thabiso Khang, says the family is still in shock.

The Gauteng Health Department says it has intensified its awareness drive in Soweto following the tragic incidents.

Department’s spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, says on Wednesday a team spent the day engaging locals and conducting health education about food handling, preparation, storage and safety.

Modiba says police have since taken samples for further processing.

MEDIA STATEMENT || UPDATE ON FOOD POISONING INCIDENTS – TWO OTHER CHILDREN LOSE THEIR LIVES pic.twitter.com/RGjWfsNgKB

— Gauteng Health (@GautengHealth) October 5, 2023

The Outbreak Response team is in Naledi in Soweto today to educate residents about food safety principles and to reduce the risk of harm from unsafe food. This is due to the incident of food poisoning which resulted in the death of two children in Naledi #AsibeHealthyGP pic.twitter.com/gUGcf7rA8v

— Gauteng Health (@GautengHealth) October 5, 2023

WATCH: Soweto residents have embarked on a total #ShutDown of all foreign-owned Spaza Shops, fake food items and expired food were discovered, and some food items expired in 2015.#OperationDudula is also on the ground cleaning Naledi and removing illegal foreign-owned spaza… pic.twitter.com/k5R4pIf9Kr

— PSAFLIVE (@PSAFLIVE) October 5, 2023

What happened in Naledi Soweto it’s not only Naledi problem. Those Pakistanis are using one fake supplier and those beskits should be all over soweto. @Lesufi is so silent on this matter because ANC loves foreigners more than South Africans. @CocaCola_ZA is also doing nothing

— Monna Wa Senganga (@SengangaWa) October 3, 2023

Written by: Nokwazi Qumbisa

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