Cape Town – Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has called for the immediate closure of all foreign-owned tuckshops and the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals after a series of incidents where learners fell ill or died from consuming toxic snacks bought at these shops.
Recent cases include six learners in Soweto dying from contaminated snacks, and several others being hospitalised in Sharpville, Bronkhorstspruit, and Limpopo due to suspected food poisoning.
McKenzie, also the leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), expressed his frustration on social media, urging swift government action to prevent more deaths.
“We need to close all these shops, we can’t be debating this matter anymore, this shops should be closed and owners arrested to be deported. What more do we want to see? More children dying,?” he questioned.
We need to close all these shops, we can’t be debating this matter anymore, this shops should be closed and owners arrested to be deported. What more do we want to see? More children dying ?
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 20, 2024
He also emphasized that South Africans have shown restraint but warned against further delays in addressing the issue.
“South Africans has been exercising maximum restraint & discipline. We are now burying our kids weekly. We as government should act and act fast before people wrongfully take law into own hands. What do we owe these illegal foreigners ? Let them go.” McKenzie said.
South Africans has been exercising maximum restraint & discipline. We are now burying our kids weekly. We as government should act and act fast before people wrongfully take law into own hands. What do we owe these illegal foreigners ? Let them go.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 20, 2024
He added: “I will never stop fighting for mass deportation. I have been bringing this matter up using channels afforded to me as Minister. I must respect the Minister of Home Affairs and give him space to do his job. We will never abandon this fight Patriots.”
I will never stop fighting for mass deportation. I have been bringing this matter up using channels afforded to me as Minister. I must respect the Minister of Home Affairs and give him space to do his job. We will never abandon this fight Patriots.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 20, 2024
Other politicians, such as MK party chief whip Mzwanele Manyi and Gauteng MEC Lebogang Maile, echoed McKenzie’s concerns, calling for stricter enforcement of immigration and food safety laws to protect communities.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
