​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has visited the families of the five young children who died after allegedly consuming snacks from a local spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto.
The victims included four learners from Karabo Primary School and one from Khauhelo Primary School. Another child survived and is currently in critical condition at a hospital.
The children reportedly fell ill and passed away on Sunday, 6 October, after eating snacks from the spaza shop. 
During his visit, Premier Lesufi addressed the concerned and distraught community, which has been demanding more stringent inspections of local spaza shops to prevent such incidents.
Speaking to the residents on Tuesday afternoon, the premier called for calm and restraint and appealed to the community not to resort to violence.
The police have initiated five inquest dockets, and an update will be released once the investigation is final.
Premier Lesufi assured the public that the authorities are committed to resolving the case thoroughly.
"We are with these families; we will walk with them on this difficult road and well update. We are already worried about the trends because we are told that the last activity in the area occurred in the same area last year, in October. So, the police are broadening all those aspects, so we don't become single-minded when we attend to this issue," said Lesufi. 
He confirmed that psychosocial services are being offered to grieving families and that the government is also supporting the family of the surviving child. 
"We also visited the family of the child who is still in hospital, and what is critical is to get information from the child about the last moments before the incident occurred, and hopefully, the child will pull through."
The premier promised to return after the funerals to give further updates and meet with the community again.