The Government is concerned about several incidents of suspected food poisoning in recent weeks. The Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni yesterday urged South Africans to refrain from buying from unregistered spaza shops.

Government concerned over food poisoning

This comes after 5 Primary School learners in Soweto died on Sunday, after allegedly eating poisoned snacks from a local spaza shop in Naledi. Community members have since expressed outrage at spaza shop owners in the area. Meanwhile, a mass memorial service will be held in Soweto today, to honour the 5 children who died on Sunday of suspected food poisoning.

A mass memorial service

The Primary School learners are aged between 6 and 9 years. It’s alleged that they bought snacks from their local spaza shop and died after consuming it. At the same time, more than 70 matric pupils from schools across Gauteng have taken ill this week, in another incident believed to be linked to suspected food poisoning.

Another Gauteng Incident

The pupils were admitted to several medical facilities in Carletonville in Johannesburg yesterday. They were experiencing stomach cramps and diarrhoea. It’s unknown what they had eaten. The authorities say they’ve since been discharged from hospital.

Limpopo Provincial Education Ministry

Meanwhile, the Limpopo Provincial Education Ministry has instituted a probe after 35 learners fell ill of suspected food poisoning at a Primary School on Wednesday. The learners were taken to hospital for treatment after presenting with symptoms such as vomiting and stomach aches.

They’ve since been discharged. The Department is investigating whether food from the school nutrition programme is to blame.

A village in Mdantsane

In an unrelated story, Eastern Cape Police are still waiting for the toxicology report to determine the cause of death of 3 young children from a village in Mdantsane last month.

MORE ABOUT: Urgent call for vigilance following rise in food poisoning cases affecting children

Two toddlers and a baby from the same family died after allegedly eating Top Score Instant porridge. The manufacturers of the brand, Namib Mills say independent tests have confirmed that the porridge is safe and was not contaminated.