By Anita Dangazele
Three young children from Mdantsane died on Friday after eating instant porridge, which was reportedly bought from a Spar supermarket.
Eastern Cape Health spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, said the children, aged four, 18 months, and 17 months, died after eating the porridge.
The four-year-old and the 18-month-old were from the same family, while the 17-month-old was from a neighboring house.
“The two toddlers, aged 17 and 18 months old, and a four-year-old child died after reportedly eating instant porridge,” Kupelo said.
“The children were rushed to Nontyantyambo Community Health Centre, where they were pronounced dead.”
Spar said it was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the news that the children died after eating vanilla-flavoured instant maize porridge made in Namibia.
In a statement on Sunday, Spar said they are working with the authorities and have reached out to the families to offer support.
“While the cause of death is still to be ascertained, we have been in contact with the supplier to immediately suspend distribution of the product. We have also taken the precautionary measure of removing the product from our shelves while the necessary food safety measures are being conducted, which includes comprehensive laboratory testing,” Spar said.
Buffalo City Metro mayor Princess Faku said she was heartbroken by the tragedy.
She is expected to visit the families on Sunday with other officials, including ward 11 councillor Claudia Stemele.
“We send our condolences to the families and the Mdantsane community,” Faku said.
“Losing such young lives with promising futures is heartbreaking.”
Faku said that a full investigation is needed into the incident.
Pictured above: BCM officials on a recent raid on spaza shops in Buffalo City Metro.
Source: Facebook
