Food Poisoning: Gauteng MEC offers condolences to family
The spaza shop was used as a bedroom and bathroom," MEC of finance and economic development, Lebogang Maile said.
The Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, visited the family of Siyabonga Mnisi (5) today, November 21.
Siyabonga tragically passed away yesterday, reportedly due to suspected food poisoning.
According to reports, after ingesting snacks bought at a local spaza shop, Mnisi started vomiting and had a runny stomach.
He was then taken to a local clinic where he was declared dead.
“We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family and the community at large. We had the privilege to meet with the mother and grandmother of the child and obtained a briefing from them.
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“It is always sad to come to a community whenever there is an unfortunate incident like the one that occurred last night. We do not enjoy coming to communities to do this,” Maile said.
He added that they previously committed that they’ll be visiting communities to ensure that small businesses and enterprises adhere to the regulations put forward by President Cyril Ramaphosa but instead, they are back in the area to offer condolences.
“Unfortunately, we are here today. We went into the shop which allegedly sold snacks to the child.
“We noted that it was not hygienic and not conducive because the people who are running it also use it as a bedroom, they wash in there. This is not acceptable.
“We are also informed that the shop was closed on Wednesday [November 20] by a relative, who is now surprised that it has been reopened and operating. This goes to show the level of disrespect for the law, it is high time we act.
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“The police gave us a briefing that they took the documentation and verified with Home Affairs which said their documents are legal, and the foreign nationals who own the shop are here legally.
Being here legally does not mean they should run illegal operations so there is no justification for what they have done.
“The police will be taking the stock and we currently have environmental inspectors who will be looking at the items because I have already seen that some of the items have expired. We have to formally open a case for the sold products that have expired.”
The inconsolable father of Mnisi, Samuel said that he was called when he was at work to tell him that his son was not feeling well and after 20 minutes or so he received another call to inform him of his passing.
“I took a taxi to the hospital and when I got there everything was very bad. I don’t even have words to describe how I feel,” Samuel said.
He added that his son called him on Monday to request items needed for his graduation ceremony that was scheduled for Friday.
“I bought and arranged everything for his graduation ceremony but it’s all gone. I don’t know what to do from here.”
