ENRAGED ZASTRON RESIDENTS DEMAND CLOSURE OF FOREIGN SPAZA SHOPS

Photo: Zastron entrance

Supplied

By: Neo Ntsele

The residents of Zastron have taken their grievances to the streets as they demand the shutdown of foreign owned spaza shops in their vicinity.

This follows after the province saw the influx of suspected food poisoning patients at various hospitals.

Children from various schools in the country have been admitted to hospitals for allegedly consuming poisoned snacks.

On Thursday 7, about 10 pupils from Mooifontein Primary School were admitted at Embekweni Local Hospital in Zastron, after allegedly consuming poisoned snacks.

The residents of Matlakeng took to the streets and initiated a shutdown of all foreign owned spaza shops.

However, the spaza shop owners only closed for a short period and reopened after the enraged crowd dispersed.

The residents have urged officials to step in and strengthen the regulations for spaza shops.

In another incident, about 45 learners at Daluvuyo Primary School in Welkom, were also admitted for the ingestion of poisoned snacks.

In Bloemfontein, about 47 learners of Ihobe Primary School were admitted at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital for alleged cases of food poisoning.

No fatalities have been reported so far as most of the children have been discharged and recovering.

The Free State Department of Health noted that the department has been on alert to treat patients that visit health facilities on suspected cases of ingestion of food poison.

The Department stated that health facilities have managed the influx of patients that have been seen flowing since the beginning of the week.

"Out of this 47 only 2 learners (about 10 years old female and about 11 years old male) are still admitted and undergoing treatment." Said Mondli Mvambi, Free State Department of Health Spokesperson.

He added, "The Free State Provincial Government is concerned about the spread of these incidents which somehow reflect an orchestrated plan at play. Furthermore, the Department encourages the public to be circumspect about places and environments where they buy their food and the conditions under which their food is packaged, prepared and distributed."

On Friday 8, the health services swiftly responded to two separate incidents of suspected food poisoning.

Residents are urged not to consume expired food items and to report such to law enforcement agencies.