Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane told residents of Naledi in Soweto on Friday it was time to demand accountability from those who provide food to children.
He was addressing mourners at the Naledi Community Hall after the deaths of five children this week due to a suspected poisoning.
Zinhle Maama, 7, Monica Sathekge, 6, Njabulo Msimango, 7, Karabo Rampou, 8, and Isago Mabote, 7, died after allegedly eating poisoned snacks bought from a local spaza shop. “This is a clarion call for all of us to be the voices of these children. To advocate fiercely for the safety and wellbeing of every child in our community,” said Chiloane.
“Our children deserve safe and healthy food, we must hold those who provide it more accountable. In recent years we had similar incidences where negligence and lack of oversight have led to devastating consequences.”
The MEC said families were shattered and communities were left to pick up the pieces while grappling with the aftermath of preventable tragedies. He told residents it was their duty to speak up about the injustices that harmed children. “This cycle of grief and loss must end. We must be active participants in fostering a safer environment for our children. We must ensure that our collective outrage translates to meaningful action.” he said.
He said the incident which left families reeling with shock should be the last. “The community should be our ears and eyes all the time. This should be the last incident that should happen in this particular fashion in our province. We are urging all of our communities to remain vigilant as to what they are buying from these foreign-owned spaza shops and go and verify.”
Chiloane added that parents should caution their children to avoid buying from spaza shops.
He said he had not yet received a report from the police on the progress of the investigation. “You can’t touch our children and nothing happens. It doesn’t work like that,” he said.
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Phathu Luvhengo
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