The Free State Department of Health announced that a post-mortem will be conducted to ascertain the definitive cause of deaths of the two girls, Palesa (3) and Bohlale Kutoane (4) on 17 October in the Mokwallo township, Vredefort. Parallel to the autopsy, the Free State police also stated that an inquest for investigation was opened following the tragic deaths of the siblings.
It is alleged that they had complications after they consumed snack packs apparently purchased from a foreign-owned tuck shop in their area. They reportedly were certified dead at the multi-purpose centre in the area in the afternoon, at about 17:30.
Both Mondli Mvambi, provincial spokesperson of the Department of Health, and Capt. Loraine Earle, provincial spokesperson of the police, confirmed the investigations undertaken. Mvambi said the emergency medical services (EMS) that attended to the incident declared the children dead at the scene.
It is not clear if the snack packs had expired or not, and whether the snack packs were genuine products or fake.
Thabo Meeko, the MEC also responsible for small business development, has weighed in on the challenge arising from the regulation of tuck shop traders in townships in the Free State.
According to Meeko, recently his department was flooded with complaints and allegations from the public regarding the selling of expired and fake foods, which are deleterious to their health.
“The sale of illicit goods and food has escalated as the cost of living and rate of unemployment continue to rise. This phenomenon is prevalent in predominantly poor areas,” said Meeko.
The tragic incident has sparked uproar in the Mokwallo community, and saw angry community members forcing closure of foreigners-owned tuck shops and demanding they produce permits to operate their businesses.
