Five children have died in Soweto after reportedly eating snacks from a spaza shop. Johannesburg Police say the children are between the ages of 6 and 9. Officers have launched an investigation. They’ve opened inquest dockets to determine the cause of death. They’ve also seized the goods being sold at the shop.
Five children die in Soweto after eating snacks
Meanwhile, Sowetan Live is reporting that a 7-year-old friend of the deceased is still in hospital, fighting for his life.
MORE ABOUT: Three siblings have died at a Gauteng School
The Newspaper reports that the young boy’s identity has not been disclosed. He’s still in intensive care after he was hospitalized at the weekend. There’s hope that he’ll be able to shed more light on the story.
Another child is fighting for his life
Otlotleng Msimango, whose son Njabulo died, told The Sowetan, that she was devastated.
“They were all together and [the boy in hospital] is the only one who can tell us what really happened,” said Msimango.
One of the children in Intensive Care
At the same time, the spokesperson for Gauteng Police, Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the children were declared dead at the local [Naledi] clinic on 6 October 2024.
“The circumstances that led to their deaths are unknown at this stage pending police investigations,” he added.
READ MORE: The Sowetan Investigates
Late last month, three children in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape died allegedly after eating Top Score instant maize porridge.
While police are investigating, the company, Namib Mills, recalled the product and said as it stands, there was no evidence linking the porridge to the tragedy.
