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Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko at the funeral of the deceased pupils from Soweto who passed away from alleged food poisoning. (@GautengProvince/X, Formerly Twitter)
- Eighty environmental health inspectors will investigate a spate of food poisoning cases in Gauteng.
- The health department said that a "chemical agent" was most likely the cause.
- Six children recently died in a suspected food poisoning incident in Soweto.
A team of 80 environmental health inspectors has been deployed to Soweto to search for chemicals believed to be behind a spate of food poisoning incidents.
According to the national health department, a "chemical agent" is most likely responsible for the spate of sudden food-related illnesses and deaths in Gauteng in recent weeks.
"Those affected have concluded that these ailments are a result of food poisoning emanating from foodstuff, particularly snacks, sold by foreign-owned spaza shops. This has become the generally held view in the country, which prompted some people to take action based on this belief and understanding," department spokesperson Foster Mohale said.
"These increasing incidents in black communities have led to an unfortunate and unsubstantiated perception that authorities are turning a blind eye to this crisis and seem not to care about what's happening to the citizens."
However, Mohale said police and health officials were "working around the clock to try [to] unravel this mystery".
READ | 25 Bronkhorstspruit primary school pupils taken to hospital for suspected food poisoning
He added that the department had been tasked with heading up the investigations into the poisoning cases, and based on consultations with various organisations, it was believed that "we are dealing with a chemical agent and that this must be identified as a matter of urgency".
According to Mohale, the "army of 80 environmental inspectors" has been undergoing training and will begin their work from Monday.
Gauteng has seen a series of food poisoning incidents, which led to the death of six children in Soweto. The children reported buying snacks from a spaza shop. To date, no evidence has been established to link the deaths to the food from the spaza shops.
Professor Pieter Gouws of Stellenbosch University's Centre for Food Safety previously said that while it was possible, it was highly improbable that chips bought from a spaza shop were the reason for the death of the children.
ALSO READ | Of the 47 pupils hospitalised for suspected food poisoning, only four still receiving care
Earlier this month, 47 Rapelego Primary School pupils in Hammanskraal were hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning. The children are believed to have eaten chocolates that had passed their expiry date.
Prior to that, more than 70 Gauteng Grade 12 pupils were rushed to the Carletonville District Hospital following a suspected food poisoning incident.
The pupils were from Fochville Secondary School, Badirile Secondary School and Wedela Technical School. They were participating in a matric camp in Fochville when they experienced stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
