Naledi tragedy must never happen again: Families

The family of Katleho Olifant (7), who is the sixth child to die in the recent alleged food poisoning incident in Naledi, Soweto, have pleaded with the government to make sure that such a tragedy never happens again.

Olifant passed away on Sunday after he was in ICU for a week.

He took his last breath on the day his five friends, Zinhle Maama (7), Monica Sathekge (6), Njabulo Msimango (7), Karabo Rampou (8) and Isago Mabote (7) were being laid to rest.

The children died from suspected food poisoning after eating snacks from a nearby spaza shop – in an incident that re-ignited concerns over the quality of food sold at tuck shops.

Stomach cramps and foaming through the mouth and nose were the telltales of their torture as they returned home.

Five of them were declared dead on the same night, while Olifant gave a glimpse of hope when he was admitted to hospital.

The 7-year-old’s family says the doctors did everything they could to save the minor’s life, but it was unfortunately not enough.

Olifant’s uncle, Thabiso Koboe, described the little boy as a jolly person who always loved to play.

Koboe says his nephew did not deserve to suffer the way he did.

“We are shattered, I don’t think there are any words that can explain what happened. We just hope this will never ever happen again.”

The uncle also expressed his disappointment in the government for being reactionary on the matter of illegal foreign owned shops that, he says, continue to put the lives of community members at risk.

He says authorities can do better in making sure that regular inspections are conducted to save lives.

A year ago, two children aged four and six also died under similar circumstances in the same community of Naledi.

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi,  announced that a Consumer Council has been tasked to establish a hearing that will look into where these products have been manufactured.

He also urged the forensics to speed up its probe and make that information available.

Speaking at the funeral service of the five children, Lesufi said investigations will go beyond the boundaries of Naledi.

Spaza shops remain closed after the National Consumer Commission raided some stores yesterday.

Three undocumented foreign nationals were arrested in the township.

Authorities seized expired foods from these stores, some with expiration dates removed, and others not in their original packaging.