A devastating incident of suspected food poisoning has shaken the Eastern Cape, claiming the life of 9-year-old Anothando Kwindla, a grade 4 pupil at Ngqika Primary School in Zwelitsha. Kwindla died on Thursday after being rushed to a local clinic, where she was declared dead at 8:40 am.
According to her grandmother, Thelma Stuurman, Kwindla had eaten chips bought from a spaza shop that morning. Stuurman recalled that Kwindla had been well when she left for school, but soon after, teachers contacted her, saying the child was ill. Tragically, Kwindla passed away shortly thereafter.
This incident is not an isolated one. Six other pupils from Luzuko Primary in Sweetwater township were hospitalized after consuming snacks bought from local spaza shops. The children complained of stomach pains and shortness of breath and were rushed to Grey Hospital for treatment.
The Buffalo City metro has taken swift action, intensifying efforts to shut down non-compliant spaza shops. Recently, 14 shops were closed, and several arrests made. Expired foodstuffs, illegal pesticides, and illicit pharmaceuticals worth thousands of rands were confiscated.
Children’s rights activist Petros Majola has urged parents to take responsibility and stop giving children cash to buy snacks from spaza shops. Education MEC Fundile Gade has activated psychosocial support services for affected schools to counsel and debrief teachers and pupils who witnessed the incident.
This incident is part of a larger trend of children falling ill after consuming contaminated food from spaza shops across South Africa. The Eastern Cape community demands justice and improved food safety measures to prevent such tragedies. Kwindla’s family and community are struggling to come to terms with her tragic death, and her mother, Thabisa Kwindla, has appealed for assistance with funeral arrangements.
An I ‘quest docket has been opened, and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Kwindla’s death. As the community mourns the loss of this young life, calls for increased food safety measures and accountability grow louder.
