MORE than 50 foreign-owned shops were closed by angry residents.
Community members in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, took to the streets on Monday, 23 October.
Residents were angered by the tragic death of two siblings who had consumed an alleged poison in the snacks they bought at a local spaza shop in Mokwallo, Vredefort.
The community leader, Lawrence Mokhele, accused the Health and Environment Department inspectors and the relevant government department of taking bribes instead of protecting the lives of the children.
"We have received reports of children losing their lives and some being admitted to local hospitals for consuming expired food. We are calling on the foreign owned businesses to pack up and leave our kasi in peace. We cannot sit and hold hands while our children die.We've managed to close down almost 50 shops, including wholesalers,” he said.
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Provincial health spokesman, Mondli Mvambi disputed a social media report that three siblings were admitted to Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital after consuming sweets from the local tuck shop.
Mvambi said some of the reports provoked the community into xenophobic attacks.
"We do not have such patients in our health facilities. We have a team that responds to outbreaks and has acted as first responders to similar incidents. We are waiting for the final reports on these incidents," he said.
