Government Refutes Claims of Neglect in Child Deaths

Government Refutes Claims of Neglect in Child Deaths

The Department of Health has strongly denied allegations that the government is neglecting the issue of children dying from suspected food poisoning. The department stated that the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) is treating the recent surge in deaths as a national security threat.

“These increasing incidents in black communities have led to an unfortunate and unfounded perception that authorities are ignoring this crisis and do not care about what’s happening to citizens,” the department said in a statement. It emphasised that various authorities are actively involved in addressing the situation.

Communities affected by the sudden deaths, especially involving school children, have attributed the cause to food poisoning linked to snacks sold by foreign-owned spaza shops. In response, the Health Department affirmed that NATJOINTS, responsible for coordinating the State’s security, is addressing these incidents as a potential threat to the nation’s safety and well-being.

Last week, NATJOINTS convened to analyse the situation and recommended that the Department of Health take the lead in coordinating investigations involving multiple institutions. “In the final analysis, whatever is happening leads to ill health or even death,” the department noted.

Meanwhile, South African Police Service (SAPS) detectives have been working tirelessly to solve the “mystery” behind the deaths, particularly in Naledi, Soweto. The Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni municipalities have also deployed Environmental Inspectors to investigate the suspected food poisoning cases, while the National Department of Health’s Environmental Directorate is checking compliance with health regulations.

The Department of Agriculture has dispatched officials to determine if agricultural produce or non-compliance with production standards may be linked to the issue. Additionally, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) has sent senior representatives to explore potential breaches of consumer protection laws.

To bolster the investigation, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has enlisted the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). The NICD previously led the search that identified the source of the listeria outbreak several years ago, and the Minister believes their expertise will be valuable in the current situation.

The team of State agencies has concluded that a chemical agent is the likely cause of the illnesses. A plan has been set in motion to conduct a systematic search for the agent, with efforts intensifying in the coming weeks.

The plan involves deploying 80 health inspectors from the National Department of Health and the City of Johannesburg. These inspectors will be joined by teams from SAPS, Agriculture, and the NCC, all of whom have received training and equipment from the NICD. The teams will operate under the direct supervision of the NICD, starting in Naledi, Soweto, on 21 October.

The Department of Health reiterated its commitment to addressing the crisis and ensuring the safety of the affected communities.