Two young siblings, Hope Xaba (9) and Owami Xaba (6), tragically lost their lives after consuming snacks purchased from a spaza shop in Katlehong, on the East Rand, last Wednesday. The incident has raised serious concerns over food safety and the potential dangers of consuming food from informal vendors.
Timeline of Events Leading to Tragedy
According to Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona, the siblings had been experiencing health complications since Monday, November 4. They were part of a group of students who became ill due to suspected foodborne illness at their school, Sonqoba Primary. While other affected pupils were rushed to medical facilities and discharged the same day, the Xaba siblings did not seek immediate medical attention, which may have contributed to the tragic outcome.
On Wednesday, their parents gave them money to buy snacks from a local spaza shop. After consuming the food later that evening, both children’s condition worsened, and they were soon unable to move. By the time emergency services arrived, they were declared dead.
“We were informed by the parents that the children had not been well since Monday, and by Wednesday evening, their health had deteriorated rapidly after eating snacks,” Mabona stated. “Unfortunately, when emergency personnel arrived, they found the children unresponsive and declared them deceased.”
### A Pattern of Foodborne Illnesses
This tragic case follows a disturbing trend of foodborne illnesses linked to snacks bought from spaza shops. On the same day that the Xaba siblings passed away, another food poisoning incident was reported at Setsing Primary School, where 29 pupils became ill after eating snacks bought from vendors within the school premises.
Mabona emphasized that while foodborne illnesses continue to affect students, the department had been engaging with concerned parents to address these growing safety concerns. He also confirmed that acting Premier Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, who is also the MEC for Roads and Transport, is expected to visit the Xaba family to offer condolences and support.
### Rising Food Safety Concerns in the Community
This incident is part of a larger worrying pattern of food poisoning cases in Gauteng, with 20 reported deaths due to foodborne illnesses since the beginning of the year. The ongoing issue has raised alarms among both the public and authorities, highlighting the dangers posed by informal food vendors who may not adhere to proper food safety regulations.
In response to these events, authorities have stepped up efforts to investigate the source of the contaminated snacks and ensure that vendors are held accountable. As more details about this case continue to emerge, residents of Katlehong and other areas are urged to exercise caution when purchasing food from unregulated sources.
This remains a developing story, and more updates are expected in the coming days.
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