By Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
Unhappy school children from rural villages in Vhembe, Limpopo have taken matters into their own hands by removing and destroying snacks from foreign owned spaza shops.
This is after one of their school mates passed away, allegedly after eating snacks she bought from a spaza shop in Khubvi village, outside of Thohoyandou.
On Thursday afternoon, learners from various schools, mostly primary schools in Khubvi and Makonde villages, went door to door to foreign owned shops destroying snacks.
They also chased away the owners and told them to vacate their villages.
“We believe that the only way to protect our health is to chase all the foreign spaza owners, because they are the ones selling fake snacks and sweets and we do not want to die because of them,” a Khubvi primary school learner told Scrolla.Africa.
She said they were informed earlier that a fellow learner passed away on Thursday morning, allegedly after having eaten snacks bought from a spaza shop on Wednesday.
Attempts to get comments from the Limpopo police and family of the deceased learner failed.
“It is about time they stop selling us fake and expired food and it is only us [learners] who can put an end to this, but our parents and community leaders must support us,” said the learner.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa from the scene in Khubvi village, resident Irene Munyai said it is sad to see learners taking the law into their own hands, while the government fails to act, despite many reports of children falling ill or dying after eating products bought from spaza shops.
“Every day on the news, we hear of learners who have fallen sick after eating snacks from their local spaza shops, but nothing is done,” she said.
Munyai said although foreign owned shops create jobs and bring food closer to their homes, she does not support them selling contaminated foods.
“I am sure the shop owners are aware that items they sell are making children sick while others are dying, but they continue to sell for their own benefit. The government must intervene,” said Munyai.
A Somalian business owner, Abdul Mohammed, told Scrolla.Africa that he fears for his life.
“Children barged into my shop and started taking all the snacks, biscuits and sweets and threw them outside. Those outside were destroying the snacks.
“I tried to stop them, but I was told to vacate the shop and the village or else I will be killed,” explained Mohammed.
He said he will not be opening the shop or returning to Khubvi village.
“I fear being attacked and killed and will not be going back anytime soon. But what I can promise the public is that I do not sell poisonous food items as I care about the health of everyone, especially children,” said Mohammed.
Pictured above: The aftermath of the destruction done by learners in Khubvi.
Source: Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
Video: Learners destroying snacks they took from a foreign owned spaza shop.
Source: Supplied
