A devastating incident occurred in Alexandra, Johannesburg, over the weekend, leaving a family in mourning. A 10-year-old girl tragically passed away from a suspected foodborne illness, sparking concerns over food safety in the area.
The young girl was rushed to the Alexandra Community Health Centre’s emergency unit on Saturday night but unfortunately did not survive. Her heartbreaking last words were, “Daddy, take care of mom, me, I’m going home.” Her mother and younger brother, who also consumed the snacks, were hospitalized but are now recovering.
The exact cause of the illness remains under investigation, but the Gauteng health department has expressed alarm at the increasing number of foodborne illnesses affecting children in the province. This incident follows a distressing pattern, with six children from Naledi, Soweto, dying last month after allegedly eating contaminated food from a local spaza shop.
In response to these tragedies, the Gauteng health department is working with stakeholders and municipalities to boost awareness and safety measures in townships, informal settlements, and hostels. The public has been advised to be cautious when purchasing food, checking for expiry dates and ensuring packaging is undamaged.
The Gauteng government has also taken action, with the MEC for Economic Development and Finance, Lebogang Maile, visiting the bereaved family to offer condolences. The department will investigate the incident, and inspections have been intensified to ensure spaza shops adhere to safety standards.
Since January 2024, Gauteng has recorded over 372 cases of food-related illnesses, with 16 fatalities. This highlights the dire need for enhanced food safety measures across the province. The community is in mourning, and the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety and the need for urgent action to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.