Vosloorus residents demand warehouse closure
Community members shut down Vosloorus Cash and Carry, demanding action after children fell ill and died from suspected food poisoning linked to spaza shop supplies.
After several children fell sick and some died in Katlehong, Thokoza and other areas in Gauteng over suspected food poisoning, residents of Vosloorus picketed and closed down the Vosloorus Cash and Carry warehouse on November 18.
Scores of residents barricaded the entrance to the shopping complex on Barry Marais Road where the warehouse is based, barely walking distance to the Vosloorus Police Station.
Protesting residents, who picketed at the entrance of the shopping complex, instructed some of the spaza shop owners to return the items they had already bought at the warehouse.
A resident of Vosloorus, Bafana Ngwenya, told Kathorus MAIL they wanted to shut down the main supplier of various food items sold in some spaza shops around Vosloorus and other neighbouring areas around Kathorus.
“Most of the spaza shops owned by foreigners in our area buy their stock at this warehouse. Most of the items spaza shop owners buy from this wholesaler are the same food products affecting children in our communities.
“We cannot sit back and watch our children die. We are tired of seeing children die from this rotten food,” Ngwenya said.
He said the protests would not stop until they see all the foreign-owned spaza shops shut down.
Another Vosloorus resident, Themba Mehlomakhulu, said they wanted foreigners to return to their countries.
“We are fed-up with these unlicensed spaza shop owners selling expired food which they buy from this warehouse which is also owned by foreign nationals,” Mehlomakhulu expressed.
Themba Mabunda, who was also among the picketers, said their mission is to stop the death of children.
“Before we embarked on this protest, we informed the warehouse management to stop trading on November 17. It seems they did not listen to us and that is why we are here today.
“The spaza shop owners will not leave with any items they bought from the warehouse today. Enough is enough,” said Mabunda.
Kathorus Mail tried to contact the warehouse’s management regarding the matter, but they refused to comment.
