Tragedy Near East London: Two Children Die In Suspected Food Poisoning Scare

Two children have died and five others are receiving medical treatment following separate suspected food poisoning incidents near East London in the Eastern Cape.

Health officials confirmed the deaths on Saturday afternoon, saying provincial emergency response protocols had been activated. The affected children, aged between four and seven, are from Mdantsane and the Msintsi area near Berlin.

According to the Eastern Cape Department of Health, the children began experiencing symptoms including dizziness, vomiting and diarrhoea on Saturday morning.

East London Children rushed to hospital as officials activate response

Six children from Msintsi and one from Mdantsane were admitted to Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane, while one child was transferred to a hospital in East London for specialised care.

“Sadly, two children were declared deceased on arrival despite resuscitation efforts by clinical teams. Five others remain under medical care,” the department said.

“One child has been intubated and transferred to Frere Hospital for advanced critical care, while the remaining four are reported to be stable and continue to receive treatment and observation.”

Health officials said the six children from Msintsi had been playing together and reportedly fell ill after eating snacks. The cause of the Mdantsane incident is still unknown.

“The department extends its deepest condolences to affected families and continues to provide clinical and psycho social support,” the department added.

Food safety concerns resurface over toxic substances

The incident has once again raised concerns around food safety, particularly at spaza shops.

In late 2024, nearly 900 food-borne illness cases were reported nationwide between September and November, prompting a nationwide drive to register spaza shops and shut down those that failed to meet health standards.

Government investigations later highlighted the presence of an organophosphate pesticide known as Terbufos at some spaza shops.

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“In the townships, informal settlements and at taxi ranks, it is known as ‘halephirimi’,” the South African Human Rights Commission said.

“Literally translated to mean ‘you will never see the sunset’, it is highly toxic, lethal and fast acting.”

While Terbufos is banned in most Southern African Development Community countries, it remains legal in South Africa.