Gauteng Legislative Assembly calls for temporary food suspension

The call came after the deaths of two siblings in Katlehong, the death of a 10-year-old boy from Alexander and the deaths of six children in Naledi, Soweto.

Two younger siblings from the Xaba family, aged 6 and 9, died of suspected food poisoning after allegedly consuming snacks they bought from a local spaza shop.

Both children were students at Sonqoba Primary School in Katlehong.

Legislative speaker Moipone Mhlongo urged parents not to give lunch money to students but instead prepare meals at home.

“This devastating incident highlights the urgent need to increase food safety measures in and around our schools. The Committee also calls on School Governing Bodies (SGBs) to actively monitor and regulate food vendors operating in schools.

“We call on the Ministry of Education to implement a registration process for all food vendors in schools to ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations. The Portfolio Committee also calls on all relevant education stakeholders, including community members, to work collaboratively to address and prevent these issues “To address this growing concern, the Committee is committed to working tirelessly with the community and school officials to protect the health and safety of our students.”

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