A father from Alexandra is grappling with an unimaginable loss after the sudden death of his 10-year-old daughter, Lesedi Mulaudzi, following a suspected foodborne illness linked to chips purchased from a local spaza shop. Joshua Maabo describes the harrowing experience as feeling like a nightmare from which he cannot awaken.
“I am still in disbelief because it just happened so quickly. I feel like I am in a dream,” he shared, expressing the profound shock that has enveloped his family. On the day of the incident, Lesedi began experiencing chest pains and difficulty breathing shortly after consuming the chips, prompting a frantic rush to seek medical help.
The tragedy is compounded by the fact that Maabo’s wife and their four-year-old son also consumed the same snacks and are currently hospitalized, receiving treatment. Maabo is left to navigate this crisis, overwhelmed by grief and the harsh reality of financial strain as he prepares for his daughter’s funeral.
“I am in deep pain. I don’t know what to do or where to start,” he lamented. His days are filled with uncertainty as he balances hospital visits and the grim tasks of funeral planning, all while facing financial challenges.
On the fateful day, Lesedi shared two packets of chips with her mother and brother. Joshua recalled a moment when Lesedi expressed concern about the smell of the snacks, saying, “Mama, please smell these because they smell funny.” Despite this warning, the family proceeded to eat them. After about 45 minutes, Lesedi asked to use the bathroom and then returned, visibly distressed. “Papa, I am in pain,” she told her father before collapsing in his arms.
As they rushed her to a local clinic, Maabo’s wife began feeling unwell as well. Tragically, despite their efforts, Lesedi succumbed to her condition before help could arrive. Maabo received the heartbreaking news of her passing while he was preoccupied with the hospital paperwork.
The Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed that Lesedi’s mother and brother are now stable at Edenvale Hospital, but the department has expressed deep concern regarding the rising incidents of foodborne illnesses affecting children. Motalatale Modiba, the spokesperson, extended condolences to the family during this tragic time.
In the wake of Lesedi’s death, community members reacted with outrage and fear. Demonstrators gathered outside the spaza shop, demanding police action and the removal of potentially contaminated stock. As tensions rose, police officers worked alongside community members to gather evidence and secure the premises.
Local residents voiced their fears about food safety, with one stating, “Our kids are dying while we are watching.” Many expressed their sorrow over the loss of such a young life, questioning the safety of snacks available in their community.
Daphne Ramushu praised the community for not resorting to looting and emphasized the need for accountability regarding food safety standards. “This is becoming a trend. We are losing young people,” she remarked.
The tuck shop owner’s landlord, Nothile Kunene, expressed her sorrow and commitment to cooperating with authorities as investigations unfold. “It is not the right thing for a parent to lose a child,” she said, affirming the need for a thorough investigation into the source of the snacks.
Gauteng police have opened an inquest into Lesedi’s death, with toxicology tests planned on the food products consumed. This incident has raised critical concerns about food safety and the need for stricter regulations to protect children and families in the community.