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Klerksdorp Community in Shock After Death of Two Young Sisters Linked to Spaza Shop Chips
Lentswe, Klerksdorp — The death of two little girls has left the Jouberton community reeling after it emerged that the sisters had eaten chips bought from a local spaza shop just hours before their deaths.
Four-year-old Realeboga Khaje and three-year-old Mosa Mogomotsi Mekgoe reportedly began feeling unwell shortly after returning home. Their mother, noticing that they had grown dizzy and were crying uncontrollably, rushed them to Tshepong Hospital, where both were later pronounced dead.
The tragedy has shaken the township and sparked outrage across social media, with residents demanding that the authorities shut down the shop pending an investigation. Many community members have gathered near the shop, calling for answers.
According to family members, the two sisters had gone to the nearby spaza shop on their own that day. They bought a single packet of Simba chips, which they shared on their way home.
Not long after eating the snack, both children reportedly became weak and confused. “They didn’t vomit or have diarrhoea,” a relative said. “They were just dizzy and crying. Their mother thought maybe they were tired or needed rest, but when things got worse, she took them to the hospital.”
By the time they arrived at Tshepong Hospital, doctors could not save them. The exact cause of death remains unknown.
Family members, still in shock, say they are waiting for answers. “We just want to know what happened,” one family elder said. “They were happy, healthy children in the morning. How do they both die the same day, after eating the same thing?”
The police have since opened an inquest docket to determine what led to the girls’ sudden deaths. North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that samples have been collected for forensic testing.
“The police have registered an inquest following information that two children died after eating snacks purchased from a tuckshop in Jouberton,” Mokgwabone said. “At this stage, the cause of death is not known. We urge the public not to take the law into their own hands and to allow the investigation to unfold.”
Despite this appeal, emotions in the community remain high. Residents have expressed anger and frustration, accusing the authorities of moving too slowly.
Videos shared on social media show crowds gathering outside the spaza shop, with some residents chanting and demanding that the business owner come forward. Others have called for a boycott of all local foreign-owned shops until the investigation is concluded.
Local community leaders have tried to calm tensions, urging restraint and patience. “We understand the pain,” said one community organiser. “But let’s not destroy property or harm anyone. Let’s wait for the post-mortem results so that the truth can come out.”
Health officials are now working alongside law enforcement to trace the origin of the chips and determine whether contamination may have occurred. Early reports suggest that the Simba brand in question was sealed, though investigators have not ruled out the possibility of tampering or spoilage due to poor storage conditions.
The tragedy has reignited long-standing debates around food safety in informal markets, particularly spaza shops operating in townships. Many residents claim that expired goods are routinely sold, sometimes without proper packaging or refrigeration.
Local councillor Tebogo Nchabeleng said authorities would conduct inspections across several stores in the area. “This is a heartbreaking situation,” he said. “We cannot lose two innocent lives and do nothing. We are calling on the Health Department to test all the products from that shop and make the results public.”
The deaths have also drawn national attention, with calls for greater regulation of food sold in small community outlets. Experts warn that while most spaza shops operate within the law, some lack proper licensing and oversight, creating gaps in food safety enforcement.
At the family home in Jouberton, grief hangs heavy. Small shoes and toys remain untouched, a haunting reminder of two young lives cut short. Neighbours have gathered to comfort the mother, who has chosen not to speak publicly.
“She’s heartbroken,” said a close friend. “She blames herself for letting them go to the shop. But how could she have known? It was just chips.”
As the investigation continues, the community waits anxiously for clarity. Toxicology results are expected to determine whether the chips or any other substance caused the girls’ deaths. Until then, speculation and anger continue to swirl.
Police patrols have been increased around the Jouberton area to prevent further unrest. Meanwhile, both sisters will be buried together later this week.
For now, Jouberton mourns — a community united in grief, searching for answers to a tragedy that began with something as ordinary as a packet of chips.
