Angry community members of Ratlou Extension in Thaba Nchu want all foreign-owned spaza shops and warehouses to close down with immediate effect.

This follows the death of the eight-year-old, Nkosinathi Modise – after he and his three siblings allegedly consumed snacks bought at a local spaza shop.

Last week, Sunday – Modise and his siblings were admitted into a local Free State hospital, after complaining about stomach aches. The children were later discharged but Modise’s condition changed on Christmas Day, and he died at home.

Nkosinathi’s mother – Kedidimetse Modise says the family is busy planning for the burial, following their tragic loss and they are still struggling to come to terms with it.

“Then on the 25th, we spent the day together with his siblings – the four of them until around 3 pm when he died inside the house. Paramedics came checked him and confirmed that he is no more. At that time, I had already called the neighbours then the mortuary vehicle came to fetch the child.”

The grandfather of the deceased, William Modise says when he received an urgent call to come home, he realised something was wrong.

“We are deeply affected by what happened I just received a call while at home from the uncle of the mother. Then I had to rush to this side. Coming here I found there’re already people converged in the yard and at that time they were waiting for the police to come.”

Community leaders have called on the Mangaung metro municipality to work with them to close down all foreign-owned shops in the area.

Chairperson of the Sthiba Council of Joint Forums, Setshaba Marumo Wa Tshimega says, “We don’t want any shops of the foreigners to operate within the perimeters of Thaba Nchu because we are very clear.

Our community is very angry therefore to control the anger of the community foreigners must know and understand that we don’t hate them, we love them as they are in our country. We hate what they are selling to our kids. We love our kids we love our people we don’t want to lose many lives therefore let them cooperate with us as we are cooperating with the police and all the officials. They must close down their shops now not tomorrow not anytime else,” he explains.

This recent death forced community members into the streets to ensure all spaza shops in the area remain closed.

Last month, more than 100 learners received medical attention in hospitals across the Free State, after they allegedly consumed suspected contaminated food and expired snacks and sweets. The incidents happened in Welkom, Bloemfontein, Marquard and Zastron.