GenZ Updates

Nyandano Tshikororo

Pretoria, South Africa – South African authorities have arrested several foreign nationals involved in an alarming food safety scandal that has resulted in the deaths of at least five children. The victims, all under the age of 10, are believed to have died from food poisoning after consuming expired snacks and processed foods sold by unlicensed vendors across several provinces.

The case has raised serious concerns about food safety standards in South Africa, as it appears that expired and contaminated food products, including chips, candies, biscuits, and instant noodles, were being imported illegally and sold in local markets. Many of the products had foreign labels and were purportedly marketed as “premium” snacks, attracting unsuspecting consumers, particularly parents looking to treat their children.

The investigation began after a series of unusual illnesses and deaths were reported among children in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town. Local hospitals saw a sudden uptick in cases of severe food poisoning, with children presenting symptoms of vomiting, fever, and dehydration. Tragically, several children died within days of being admitted.

Following an investigation into the origins of the food, police discovered that the expired products were imported by a group of foreign nationals operating under false business licenses. The individuals, who were arrested on Monday, are allegedly part of an illegal network smuggling food products from overseas without adhering to South Africa’s food safety regulations.

“We have recovered several batches of expired snacks and other processed food that were being sold in grocery stores, small convenience shops, and even at local markets,” said Lieutenant Colonel Sipho Mokoena of the South African Police Service. “These products had clearly exceeded their expiration dates and, in some cases, contained harmful bacteria and mold. The investigation is ongoing, and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”

Authorities have uncovered that the expired food products, many of which were imported from Eastern Asia, were intentionally mislabelled with counterfeit expiration dates. Some products were found to have been sitting in storage for up to two years past their shelf life before being distributed across the country.

“The scope of this operation is vast and shocking,” said former public protector Thuli Madonsela. “The foreign syndicate had created a false supply chain, taking advantage of the popularity of imported food items and preying on the trust that parents place in these products.”

“Someone needs to be held responsible for my child’s death,” said the mother of one of the victims, speaking through tears at a memorial service for the children. “She was just eating a bag of chips, something she loved, and now she’s gone.”

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has outlined his wide intervention to regulate the mushrooming of spaza shops in township, which have been accused to be the sources of the food – borne diseases and deaths.

“We all agreed that addressing these issues requires a comprehansive approach involving stricter regulations, better enforcement of existing laws, and increased public awareness about the potential dangers associated with purchasing from unregulated spaza shops and informal traders,” said Lesufi.