Other reports of children who died after allegedly eating items from foreign-owned shops have resurfaced in North West.

The Chairperson of the provincial Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Tourism, Agriculture and Rural Development, Bitsa Lekompane, said they received calls and messages from the public panicking about the death of children who allegedly died after consuming poisonous food or grocery items bought from spaza shops. She called for calm and said the committee is investigating these allegations.

The committee has since requested the department to do inspections and furnish the portfolio committees with detailed reports which should indicate trader categories and their respective consumable products, among others. Lenkopane urged the department to join hands with municipalities to intensify activities that will create awareness.

The committee will rely on the report the department will be submitting in the next seven days and appeal to communities to refrain from causing unnecessary unrest and rather report incidents to the police.

OFM News