More than 50 foreign-owned shops were closed by angry residents.

Community members in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State province, took to the streets on Monday, 23 October.

Residents were angered by the tragic death of two siblings who had consumed an alleged poison in the snacks they bought at a local spaza shop (tuck shop).

The community leader, Lawrence Mokhele, accused the Health and Environment Department inspectors and the relevant government department of taking bribes instead of protecting the lives of the children.

"We have received reports of children losing their lives and some being admitted to local hospitals for consuming expired food. We are calling on the foreign owned businesses to pack up and leave our kasi (community)in peace. We cannot sit and hold hands while our children die.We've managed to close down almost 50 shops, including wholesalers,” he said.

Provincial health spokesman, Mondli Mvambi disputed a social media report that three siblings were admitted to Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital after consuming sweets from the local tuck shop.

Mvambi said some of the reports provoked the community into xenophobic attacks.

"We do not have such patients in our health facilities. We have a team that responds to outbreaks and has acted as first responders to similar incidents. We are waiting for the final reports on these incidents," he said.

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South Africa again, it appears the government of south Africa has failed their people, the reason ordinary people often take law into their own hands in every situation.

It may gradually lead to xenophobia in a short period of time

God1000:
South Africa again, it appears the government of south Africa has failed their people, the reason ordinary people often take law into their own hands

When will South Africans desist from blaming foreigners for everything?

Urheadmaster:
It may gradually lead to xenophobia in a short period of time

Yeah, you can expect that soon

These are signs of a failed country

It's sad to lose loved ones, especially kids, may their soul find peace, however the action of the locals has little or no relationship with what happened, closing over 50 shops because of news that hasn't been verified should raise and eye brow, would the local have close FOOD LOVERS MARKET, SPAR or any of the big retail shops? I doubt they would have, closing those guys shop shows how the locals often fell to the deceit of their political elites, who constantly lie to them about hijacking TOWNSHIPS ECONOMY, u can't give what u don't have, instead of hating and attacking these foreigners, it'll habe been better for some locals to learn the trade from them and compete , why SOUTH AFRICANS always scared to COMPETE in their own country still beats me, give those shops to the LOCALS to run and come back after 6 MONTHS, if 90% of the shops wouldn't have closed down by then! SOUTH AFRICANS need to channel their energy toward something more meaningful! You can't keep BLAMING everybody for your own misfortune or deficiency! Hasn't it occurred to anyone to question this mentality? This is getting extremely boring sincerely

God1000:
Yeah, you can expect that soon

These are signs of a failed country

Lol 😂

@TMKSOUTH pls what is a spizer shop?

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