Galeshewe community members are in an uproar over the death of a four-year-old girl and the hospitalisation of her uncle, both of whom allegedly consumed contaminated food.
GALESHEWE community members are in an uproar over the death of a four-year-old girl and the hospitalisation of her uncle, both of whom allegedly consumed contaminated food.
Meetings were held throughout the week outside a tuck shop in Seleke Street, which was shut down by the public after expired goods were apparently found inside.
In response to the incident, law enforcement authorities also conducted raids at several tuck shops across the city.
The exact cause of the girl’s death is still under investigation.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane stated that autopsy results have not been released yet, as the investigation is ongoing.
“The Galeshewe Serious and Violent Crimes unit is investigating the death of a four-year-old girl after she allegedly consumed food at her home in Galeshewe on October 20,” said Shemane.
He added that the police conducted routine daily crime-prevention operations this week in collaboration with external role-players under Operation Shanela.
Family members of four-year-old Khanyo Sekgwai believe she was poisoned.
A relative, Mary-Ann Mokuchwane, explained that shortly after eating bread on Sunday morning, the girl began crying, vomiting, and was unable to speak.
“It appeared as if she was vomiting dirty drain water. She only ate the bread from the tuck shop, minced meat and drank black tea. We all ate the minced meat and were in perfect health, while only Sekgwai and her uncle ate the bread,” said Mokuchwane.
She added that the girl died before paramedics arrived.
“Her death is a devastating loss to the family. Thankfully, her eight-year-old brother didn’t eat the bread,” she added.
She explained that the girl’s uncle was hospitalised after apparently eating the same bread that was purchased as a half-loaf from a local tuck shop.
“Shortly after eating the bread, he also fell ill and is still unable to speak. He remains in hospital, and his condition has not improved.”
Mokuchwane added that the funeral would take place on Friday.
“Loyiso Crèche held a memorial service for Khanyo on Thursday.”
MK Party Sol Plaatje co-ordinator Isaac Shuping urged community members not to take the law into their own hands, following threats of retaliation, including looting and damaging the tuck shop.
He criticised the tuck shop owner for allegedly selling expired baby food and hiding mouldy bread at the back of the shop.
Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Simon Dire called for calm, encouraging the community to wait for the toxicology report results.
The tuck shop owner stated that he purchased pre-packaged bread for resale from “Albany and Sasko”.
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said the tuck shop in question had been “swiftly” closed down as it was not registered.
“The non-compliance stems from the tuck shop owner’s failure to produce the necessary documentation,” said Mothibi.
“The Urban Planning Control Unit issued a non-compliance letter to the tuck shop in question following an inspection of the premises on January 31.
“The tuck shop owner, together with the property owner, did not submit an application to have the tuck shop on the property. Therefore, the tuck shop is not registered.”
He added that the owner was unable to produce a certificate of acceptance issued by the Environmental Health Services to ensure that the tuck shop complied with health and safety regulations.
Mothibi stated that following the reported death, environmental health practitioners had visited the tuck shop as well as the house where the child resided.
“The bread was retrieved and preliminary investigation points out that the source was not foodstuff based. We will hand over our complete findings to the police.”
Mothibi added that a concern was raised that one of the foreign nationals employed at the tuck shop did not possess the necessary documentation.
He added that foodstuffs could not be seized unless it was classified as unfit for human consumption.
“The Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act regulations stipulates that even if the expiry date, best before date or sell by date has been exceeded, the confiscation of foodstuffs amounts to theft and is illegal.
“There are specific procedures in regulation and may only be done by a registered environmental health practitioner when there is are physical signs such as a blown up tin, worms, other signs or if an accredited laboratory has tested positive contaminated samples. For any other person to do so, it is a criminal offence.”
Mothibi said they would be guided by the Northern Cape Consumer Authority regarding what would happen to any expired foodstuff that was found at tuckshop.
Meanwhile, members of the SAPS accompanied Sol Plaatje Speaker Nomizizi Maputle to inspect tuck shops this week.
Members of Operation Fiela closed down a tuck shop in Albert Luthuli Street and disposed of expired consumables.
Operation Fiela chairperson Thabisho Louw stated that the owner of the tuck shop they closed down was charged with the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in Sontlaba.
“He relocated to Albert Luthuli Street where he is using the same business permit. We also received reports of further attempts to sexually assault another young girl and need to take precautions to protect the community,” said Louw.
In a similar case, a foreign national was arrested in Delportshoop for allegedly having a relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the girl was living with the 38-year-old man and was rescued from the premises.
“It was established that she was in a relationship with the owner. The alleged crime remains under investigation,” said Ehlers.
She added that the suspect was also issued with a fine for being in possession of illicit goods.
