A father from Alexandra is struggling to come to terms with the sudden and devastating loss of his 10-year-old daughter, who died after eating chips allegedly bought from a local spaza shop. Joshua Maabo describes the heartbreak as a nightmare that came out of nowhere. The tragic events unfolded on a Saturday, and Maabo says he still can’t believe what happened.
“I’m still in disbelief. It all happened so quickly, and it feels like I’m dreaming. I keep hoping I’ll wake up from this nightmare soon,” Maabo shared, his voice filled with pain.
Maabo’s daughter, Lesedi Mulaudzi, began to complain of chest pains and difficulty breathing shortly after eating the chips. Sadly, she passed away that same day. In addition to losing his daughter, Maabo’s wife and their four-year-old son are both hospitalized after consuming the same snacks.
“I am in so much pain, both emotionally and financially,” Maabo said. “I’m constantly rushing between the hospital and the morgue, trying to figure out what to do for the funeral, but I have no funds for any of it.”
A Family Devastated by Foodborne Illness**
On the day of the tragedy, Lesedi had bought two packets of chips and shared them with her mother and younger brother. Maabo recalled that when Lesedi opened one of the packets, she remarked that the chips had a strange smell. Despite this, she and her family ate the snacks. Lesedi’s mother and brother shared one packet, while Lesedi had the second one on her own.
“I told them to throw it away, but they didn’t listen,” Maabo explained. After about 45 minutes, Lesedi suddenly felt unwell. She went to the bathroom but returned complaining of pain. Maabo rushed to her aid, and soon she was struggling to breathe.
“I managed to catch her as she was about to collapse. We rushed her to the clinic, but on the way, she kept saying her chest hurt and she was choking,” Maabo continued. “At the clinic, as I was dealing with Lesedi’s file, her mother also began feeling ill. They treated her as well, but while I was waiting, I received the devastating news that Lesedi had died.”
**Community Outrage and Concern**
The tragic death quickly sent shockwaves through the community. On Sunday, a crowd gathered near the spaza shop where Lesedi bought the chips. Residents demanded that the police seize the remaining stock for investigation. Tensions ran high, with some threatening to break into the shop, but the police managed to remove the stock as part of the evidence.Legal services referrals
One resident expressed fear and frustration: “Our children are dying, and we’re helpless. We’ve seen this happen in other places, but now it’s in our own community.” Another resident echoed similar concerns: “This could have been anyone’s child. It’s terrifying to think that these chips could have affected other kids.”
Despite the anger, there was a sense of relief that the community did not resort to looting. Daphne Ramushu, a local resident, praised the community’s restraint, saying, “I’m glad the people didn’t steal from the shop. What’s happening is alarming, but we need to find answers, not chaos.”
**Investigation Underway**
The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed that Lesedi’s mother and younger brother were being treated at Edenvale Hospital for a suspected foodborne illness but are now in stable condition. Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba offered condolences to the family, adding that the government is concerned about the rising number of foodborne illnesses affecting children.
“This is a tragic reminder of the risks posed by unsafe food, especially for children,” Modiba said.
As the investigation into the source of the contamination continues, the Maabo family and the community are left grappling with the loss of a young life taken too soon.
