The sixth child in the alleged snack poisoning incident in Naledi has been laid to rest. Katleho Olifant, aged 7, passed away last Sunday while a mass funeral was being held for five of his friends, who also lost their lives after reportedly consuming contaminated snacks from a local spaza shop.
Katleho’s funeral took place on Sunday at the Naledi Community Hall, which was filled with mourners. The atmosphere was somber as families and friends grappled with their grief.
Gauteng Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko announced that social workers have been deployed to support the affected families. "As the Department of Social Development, we have deployed social workers to work closely with the families to help them through this sad moment and ensure they can cope with what has happened," she stated.
Investigations into the incident may face delays, as community members looted the spaza shops involved shortly after the tragedy. Mazibuko noted, "Unfortunately, because the community looted the spaza shops, obtaining real evidence is now difficult. Authorities are relying on the toxicology report to determine the type of poison that was consumed."
In response to the incident, residents have called for a boycott of spaza shops in the area. One local resident emphasized the need for health education, stating, "The only way these spaza shops will close down is by stopping purchases. Without causing harm, let’s refrain from supporting businesses we believe are dangerous."
A local pastor, who provided spiritual support to learners at Karabo Primary School, where some victims attended, highlighted the fear among students. "This is extremely traumatic for the children; losing four kids in a week is a lot for them to process. Many children are now fearful of what could happen next. It's important to support the kids as they navigate this journey, especially considering the principal is overwhelmed, as a similar incident occurred last year."
This tragic event has reignited concerns regarding food safety compliance among informal businesses, including spaza shops.