By Mapaballo Borotho
- Mpumalanga police are investigating the deaths of a 43-year-old man and his four-year-old nephew who allegedly fell ill after eating biscuits believed to have come from a local spaza shop.
- The victims reportedly experienced dizziness and vomiting before being declared dead on arrival at a medical facility.
- Authorities say post-mortem examinations will determine both the source of the biscuits and the cause of death.
Mpumalanga police have launched an investigation following the deaths of a 43-year-old man and his four-year-old nephew, who allegedly became ill after consuming biscuits believed to have been bought from a local spaza shop on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.
According to police, the owner of the shop, who is reportedly a foreign national, had arranged with his landlord to store stock inside the main house during the nationwide anti-illegal immigration protests.
Police say the landlord allegedly consumed some of the biscuits and shared them with his four-year-old nephew.
“Shortly afterwards, both of them started feeling dizzy and vomiting. They were taken to a local medical facility where they were certified dead on arrival.
The source of the biscuits and the cause of death will be determined through post-mortem examinations,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Mavela Masondo.
Police have urged members of the public not to consume food obtained during looting, warning that its safety cannot be guaranteed.
Food poisoning linked to some spaza shops in South Africa
Food poisoning linked to products sold at some spaza shops has remained a major concern in South Africa, with authorities repeatedly urging consumers to buy food from compliant and properly regulated businesses.
Between 2024 and 2025, several children died after consuming food products, including biscuits and chips, allegedly bought from some spaza shops.
The incidents prompted authorities to conduct compliance inspections at spaza shops, particularly in Gauteng, to determine whether they met food safety and trading requirements.
The government subsequently required all spaza shop owners and food-handling businesses to register with the relevant authorities and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Despite these measures, concerns remain that some businesses continue operating without the required documentation.
Police investigations into the latest incident are ongoing.
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