Thembisa, Ekurhuleni – An 18-year-old has died, and three others have been hospitalized after allegedly eating contaminated food purchased from a local spaza shop in Thembisa. The shop has since been shut down, and its owner is believed to have fled the area.
According to reports, the victims experienced severe symptoms shortly after consuming the food. The deceased reportedly complained of a burning sensation in their stomach, followed by overheating, vomiting, and nasal discharge before succumbing to their condition.
Among those hospitalized is a 23-year-old woman, currently in ICU. Her mother described her daughter’s deteriorating condition, stating that she also suffered from vision impairment, seeing “white smoke” in her eyes. A young child, also affected, has since recovered.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact contaminant, but the incident has reignited concerns over food safety in unregulated spaza shops. Community members are calling for stricter health inspections, emphasizing the need for enforcement beyond mere registration of these informal traders.
This tragedy follows recent government efforts to regulate spaza shops, raising questions about the effectiveness of oversight measures. Investigations are ongoing as health officials urge vigilance among consumers.