The Gauteng Department of Health is grappling with a wave of food poisoning incidents, as over 70 matric pupils from Fochville were hospitalised, adding to the alarm following a similar outbreak in Malamulele, Limpopo.
This crisis follows the tragic deaths of five children in Naledi, Soweto, raising urgent concerns about food safety and the regulation of local spaza shops.
The department confirmed that the 74 female learners, from Fochville Secondary School, Badirile Secondary School, and Wedela Technical School, were rushed to hospital on Thursday.
At least 42 were treated at Fochville Clinic and 32 at Kokosi Clinic, with most eventually referred to Carletonville District Hospital. According to department spokesperson Steve Mabona, the affected learners were all discharged by last night.
The reports of more than 70 matric learners suffering another incident of food poisoning have compounded matters in Gauteng.
The Fochville incident comes barely 24 hours after the Malamulele, Limpopo, food poisoning scare where 35 learners were rushed to the Malamulele clinic and hospital in two groups of 22 and 13, respectively, who were discharged after being treated late on Wednesday.
In Naledi, Soweto, one child still fighting for their life in hospital.
“The department is particularly concerned by these repeated incidents, and we are working closely with relevant authorities to raise more awareness in communities,” said department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba.
“We are collaborating closely with the appropriate authorities to increase community awareness. We would like to encourage people to be mindful of food safety. It is crucial that food is cooked thoroughly, stored at the correct temperature, and consumed within safe timeframes.”
Soweto became a hotbed of tension for the better part of the week following the deaths of five learners on Sunday.
As the community grappled with two alarming incidents: the closure of spaza shops owned by foreign nationals following recent unrest, and a troubling series of food poisoning cases affecting local schoolchildren, questions are being asked about the real cause of these incidents.
“The Star” spoke to some concerned parents who, after hearing about the series of food poisoning incidents, slammed the government for not doing enough to curb the unregulated spaza shops operated by foreign nationals.
“I am pained by all these incidents because our government is failing us. Last year, three children died and this year, it is five. Parents are still waiting for the report telling them what happened to their children while the spaza shop owner is still in business.
“Political leaders must stop their petty fights and help us overcome this war. We are being failed by a government that refuses to act against lawlessness happening in our communities,” a resident told The Star.
Another resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, remarked: “Our children are dying while the government does nothing. South Africans must stop renting out their properties to undocumented foreign nationals because we should be the ones taking over these shops.“
In Gauteng, Mabona indicated that Thursday morning’s incident following a matric dance farewell in the area had affected 74 learners who displayed symptoms synonymous with food poisoning and diarrhoea.
As the chaos unfolds in Naledi, the Operation Dudula Movement, a prominent group advocating for the removal of foreign-owned spaza shop operators, reported that some shop owners have begun relocating their stock to nearby areas like Protea Glen, to escape the violence and hostility aimed at them.
To assuage tensions, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, has since called for calm and promised to visit the community to address ongoing concerns.
“I will visit the affected areas this coming weekend to interact with spaza shop owners and informal traders. We don’t want lawlessness in Gauteng. People should not take the law into their own hands,” he asserted.
With health and safety compliance of spaza shops now under scrutiny, the DA’s Nazley Sharif stated that many businesses in Naledi lack the necessary safety certifications to sell consumable items legally.
“Various spaza shops around Karabo Primary School and Khauhelo Primary School in Naledi, Soweto, do not have compliance certificates to operate and sell consumable items. Neither have they been inspected in terms of health and safety compliance,” he said.
A mass memorial service for the five Naledi children will be held at the Naledi Community Hall on Friday at 9am while the mass funeral service will take place at the same venue on Sunday morning.
The Star