NALEDI FIVE: Heartfelt condolences extended to grieving families

Messages of condolences poured in following the death of five children in Naledi.

It is alleged the children, all under the age of 10, died after eating snacks they had bought from a local foreign-owned spaza shop on October 6.

City of Johannesburg Speaker Clr Nobuhle Mthembu extended his condolences to the victims’ families.

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“The loss of so many young lives is never easy to come to terms with.

“We send condolences to the children’s family and the community of Naledi. As the city and council, we are with them in thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

The Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Matome Chiloane, also expressed sadness over the deaths.

“We extend condolences to the families, friends and school communities affected by these tragic incidents. The safety and well-being of our learners remains our top priority, and we urge parents, guardians and communities to exercise caution regarding the food children eat,” said Chiloane.

In a statement, the Community Safety Committee said this tragedy saddened it and emphasised the urgent need for stronger enforcement of regulations to stop the sale of dangerous and outdated items.

ALSO READ:  NALEDI FIVE: Gauteng Premier extends condolences to families

“This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of by-laws to prevent the sale of expired and harmful goods, particularly in the township areas, where many spaza shops, including those owned by illegal foreign nationals, operate with little or no monitoring by metro police officers and relevant authorities,” said the committee.

The statement said the committee strongly condemns the continued sale of expired and fake goods, which pose a risk to the health and safety of their communities, especially children.