Similar to the Naledi, Soweto saga, two more children have died while another two are fighting for their lives after allegedly sharing crisps bought from a local taxi rank in Bekkersdal, Westonaria, east of Joburg on Wednesday.
The children range in age from two to seven years old.
The children complained of stomach aches shortly after the incident and were rushed to the Bekkersdal Mandela Clinic in Bekkersdal, where two of them were declared dead upon arrival.
Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the deaths.
She said the police in Bekkersdal were investigating two inquest dockets following the incident.
“It is suspected that four kids between the age of two and seven had food poisoning after eating snacks bought from a local taxi rank. The other two kids are in hospital.
“At this stage, the cause of death is unknown, pending postmoterm results. Police investigation continues,” said Nechuhulwi.
Operation Dudula member Davis Magolego said it pained the organisation to learn of the sudden deaths. He said the organisation was still pained by the recent two deaths of children in Naledi, who are suspected to have fallen ill after consuming biscuits bought from a spaza shop.
Neo Khang and Leon Jele, died after eating biscuits allegedly bought from the spaza shop. Olwethu Zikhali and Katlego Mbatha remain in the intensive unit care at Chris-Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The children are aged four to six.
He said they visited Bekkersdal Mandela Clinic upon hearing the recent news, and there it was confirmed that a two-year-old and three-year-old were certified dead upon arrival at the clinic.
“To our surprise, these children travelled all the way from the Gold Fields South Deep mine residence. They passed many clinics and I heard it is because all the other clinics were closed, leaving the Bekkersdal Mandela Clinic to be the last option.
“We have been saying the same thing to South Africans for the past three years, these people came to take over our economy in any way they could and our lives are not their concern.
“Stop buying from Ethopians and Somalians, all these foreigners opening a chain of spaza shops. Their items have no barcode and some are fake, we can’t lose more lives,” said Magolego.
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