Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, expressed sadness at the loss of two learners from Wilhelmina Hoskins Primary School in Riverlea, Johannesburg.

The learners in Grade 7 and Grade 4, died in separate incidents.

The education department said it is alleged the Grade 7 boy was shot by unknown suspects at his family home on Saturday, November 30.

In the second incident, the Grade 4 learner fell ill on Monday, December 2, after he reportedly consumed biscuits bought from a local spaza shop.

“Emergency services were called to provide medical assistance to the Grade 4 learner. However, he was declared deceased while receiving medical treatment at home. The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding these sad incidents,” Chiloane said.

He said the Education Department has dispatched its psycho-social support unit to provide counselling to the school community on Tuesday, December 3.

“Indeed, we are saddened by these deaths and wish to convey our condolences to the families and the school community during this difficult time,” Chiloane said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa called for spaza shops to be registered with a deadline to be reached by December 6, 2024.

This followed a massive outcry across the country after several children died after consuming snacks bought from spaza shops.

Spaza shop owners across the country have been hastily trying to get their businesses registered before the deadline.

More than 1,000 spaza shops have been registered in the Western Cape with just over 2,000 still outstanding.

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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