Two foreign-owned spaza shops in Delmas, Mpumalanga, were set alight on Thursday night after a six-year-old boy allegedly died from food poisoning. Angered by the tragedy, community members took to the streets, targeting businesses they believed were responsible.
Captain Magonseni Nkosi described the sequence of events: “According to information, the victim allegedly came home and complained about stomach pains. His parents observed that the victim had white foam around his mouth. It is alleged that the victim reported that he ate some biscuits bought from a local spaza shop. Thereafter, he was rushed to hospital and unfortunately lost his life.”
The violent backlash followed shortly after the news spread.
“As a result, some community members went on rampage and torched two spaza shops belonging to foreign nationals,” Nkosi added.
Police have since arrested two suspects for public violence, with the accused set to appear in the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Increased police presence amid tensions
Authorities have intensified visibility in Delmas to restore order and prevent further unrest. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has called for calm among community members.
“We are taking these allegations very seriously. We would like community members to allow authorities to conduct their investigation so that justice is served for the victim and get closure for the family,” said the General
President Ramaphosa responds to food safety concerns
The incident comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa intensifies efforts to improve food safety nationwide. Addressing the National Council of Provinces on Thursday, Ramaphosa revealed that over 1000 spaza shops, supermarkets, and warehouses had been shut down recently as part of a crackdown on unsafe food practices.
“These informal outlets are vital to township economies, but public safety must come first,” the president said.
He highlighted the need for urgent reforms after recent foodborne illnesses caused more than 20 deaths and over 800 cases across the country.
Ramaphosa also announced a directive requiring all spaza shops and food-handling facilities to register with local municipalities within 21 days.
“We must prevent further tragedies like this one,” he stressed.
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