Mourners gathered at the Naledi Community Hall today to pay their respects to five children who tragically lost their lives after allegedly consuming poisoned snacks. The somber event took place in Soweto, following the deaths that occurred on Sunday, October 6. The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow as family, friends, and community members came together to bid farewell to the young victims.
The children who died from the alleged food poisoning were Monica Sethakge (6), Njabulo Msimango (7), Isago Mabote (8), Zinhle Masilela (8), and Karabo Rampou (9). These young lives were cut short after reportedly consuming a popular local snack, known as brown dash, which was allegedly purchased from a nearby spaza shop. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many left in disbelief that such a tragedy could have occurred from something as ordinary as buying a snack.
Allegations of a Sacrifice
During the memorial service held on Friday, October 11, at the same venue, family members and loved ones expressed their grief and confusion over the sudden deaths. Busi Mguni, a family representative of one of the deceased children, raised suspicions during the service. Mguni shared that she believed the children’s deaths might not have been accidental but could have been part of a deliberate sacrifice. While no evidence has surfaced to confirm these claims, her comments reflected the deep anguish and unanswered questions that have haunted the families in the wake of this tragedy.
“I cannot help but feel that these children were taken from us for a reason beyond what we can understand. The pain is unbearable, and we are left searching for answers,” Mguni said.
### A Grandmother’s Heartbreaking Account
Agnes Mabote, the grandmother of one of the victims, eight-year-old Isago Mabote, shared a heart-wrenching story of the last moments she spent with her grandson. According to her, Isago had been playing with friends earlier that day and returned home in a visibly distressed state.
“He came home and kicked the door, which was unusual. I scolded him for doing that, and he replied, ‘Lesedi, I’m shaking. I am dizzy,’” Agnes recalled. She described how Isago then collapsed in front of her, clearly in distress. “He threw himself in front of me and begged me to help him. His shaking worsened, and he started sweating,” she added tearfully.
Agnes’s testimony paints a painful picture of the suddenness with which the tragedy unfolded. Despite attempts to help the boy, his condition deteriorated rapidly, leaving the family devastated and without time to act.
### Community in Mourning
The deaths of these five children have left the Soweto community reeling, with many demanding answers and justice for the families. Local authorities are investigating the incident to determine whether the snack was indeed contaminated and if foul play was involved in their deaths. The spaza shop where the snacks were reportedly purchased has come under scrutiny, but no official findings have been released as yet.
The families have asked for privacy as they continue to grieve, but the community has rallied around them, offering support and prayers during this difficult time. As the funeral service concluded, many expressed hope that the investigation would provide closure for the grieving families and help prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.
The tragic deaths have also sparked conversations about food safety in informal settlements, where spaza shops are common sources of affordable snacks and groceries. The incident has raised concerns about the regulations governing these shops and the safety of the products sold within them.
As the investigation continues, the families of Monica, Njabulo, Isago, Zinhle, and Karabo are left with nothing but memories and the heartbreaking task of laying their beloved children to rest. Their community remains in mourning, searching for answers to this senseless tragedy.