2 North West Children Die After Allegedly Eating Snacks From Spaza Shops

• Two children from Jouberton in the North West lost their lives after allegedly eating snacks from a spaza shop
• The incident reportedly resulted in anger and fury from the community, and the police called for calm as they conducted an investigation
• South Africans had various views, and some questioned why the snacks seemed to be killing children and not adults

For seven years, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of Current Affairs, South Africa, covered a range of topics, including accidents, fires, outbreaks, nature, weather, and natural disaster-related incidents, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

KLERKSDORP, NORTH WEST — The South African Police Service (SAPS) called for calm after two children died allegedly from eating snacks bought at a spaza shop in Jouberton in Klerksdorp, North West, on 11 September 2025.

According to SABC News, the children, aged three and four, died after consuming unidentified snacks. The incident sparked rage and fury in the community, and the police called on the community members to exercise restraint and caution.

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The police's provincial spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabane, said an inquest docket has been opened and the police are investigating. He called on residents not to take the law into their hands and to allow the police to conduct investigations.

A look at food-related deaths

The government declared food poisoning a national security threat in October 2024 after 16 children died from food poisoning incidents. A total of 294 cases of food poisoning were recorded from February to October. The government identified a chemical agent that could be behind the deaths.

The following month, the government declared food-borne deaths a national disaster as the death toll rose and more than 1,000 cases were reported nationwide. Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen said that terfubos was found in the food tested in spaza shops.

The Gauteng provincial government introduced new bylaws in November as the death toll in the province rose to 23. The province's premier, Panyaza Lesufi, said that the number of cases reported increased to 441. He said that 19 children tested positive for organophosphate.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa said in the same month that over 1,000 spaza shops and warehouses, which were found to be noncompliant, were shut down. He gave spaza shops a deadline to register their businesses and be compliant.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens discussed the possible cause of death, and some had questions.

Dougie Max asked:

"Before blaming the snacks, what do the post-mortem results say?"

Chance Takele said:

"Before you blame the shop, you must know where the snacks were manufactured."

Masekera Proctor said:

"Even an expired snack won't kill anyone. Wake up, South Africans."

Caesar Mothobi said:

"For the first time in my entire life, I don't know what to say."

Abide Tefera Grima asked:

"Why are the snacks only killing children?"

Soweto boy hospitalised after eating snacks

In a related article, Briefly News reported that a Soweto family demanded answers after their child was hospitalised for allegedly eating snacks from a spaza shop. The child collapsed after allegedly eating the snacks.

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The family told BriefNews and said the incident was horrific and scary. His uncle said that the boy and three of his friends went to the shop to buy snacks. He ate the snacks alone and showed symptoms of food poisoning later at home.

Source: Briefly News