SOUTH AFRICANS ATTACK MIGRANTS OVER FOOD POISONINGS

A wave of food poisoning cases that has so far killed at least 22 children across South Africa has led to vigilante groups and locals attacking migrant shopkeepers.

The most affected migrants are those from Somalia and Ethiopia, who run small neighbourhood grocery stores, locally known as ‘spaza shops.’

Videos posted on social media showed mobs vandalising and looting shops, and hounding out migrant shopkeepers.

However, during an address on 15 November, President Cyril Ramaphosa clarified that investigations conducted by multiple government agencies indicated shops—whether migrant-owned or South African-owned—storing food items alongside chemicals and pesticides caused the poisonings.

He added that a lack of routine inspections due to inadequate government staffing led to widespread non-compliance with safety and health regulations.

Sources:

https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/spaza-shops-implicated-child-deaths-be-shut-down

https://mg.co.za/news/2024-11-15-spaza-shops-implicated-in-the-deaths-of-children-to-be-closed-immediately-ramaphosa

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/soweto-locals-close-spaza-shops-after-five-children-allegedly-die-from-eating-snacks-20241008

https://www.semafor.com/article/11/05/2024/deadly-food-poisoning-sparks-xenophobic-shop-attacks-in-south-africa

https://x.com/CyrilRamaphosa/status/1857484182181855426

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/foreign-owned-shops-looted-in-sharpeville-after-local-shopkeeper-shot-dead-20241017

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/south-africa-announces-measures-after-22-children-were-recently-killed-from-food-poisoning/3395214

https://x.com/CyrilRamaphosa/status/1857484407059218884

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2024-10-13-sixth-naledi-child-hospitalised-over-suspected-food-poisoning-dies