The Khubvi Emergency Committee (KEC) has recommended that all foreign-owned shops in the village be allowed to reopen, provided that certain strict control measures are implemented. The shops were forced to close, following recent allegations that children fell ill, and some died, after consuming allegedly poisoned food obtained from some of these shops.
Two weeks ago, children from Khubvi Primary School went on a rampage, breaking into shops owned by foreign nationals and grabbing packets of chips, which they then scattered on the street and destroyed.
This incident followed the news that their schoolmate, 13-year-old Munei Mulaudzi, had died at a local clinic after allegedly consuming food he had obtained from a spaza shop in Khubvi village on Monday, 21 October. In response, the school's Grade 7 learners expressed their anger by targeting small shops owned by foreigners in the village.
After villagers accused the local South African National Civic Association (SANCO) of failing to address the issue of the alleged food poisoning properly, they elected the KEC to handle the matter.
The KEC consists of Mr Fhatuwani Mudau (chairperson), Mr Joseph Livhegwa (vice-chairperson), Mr Freddy Silima (treasurer), Mr Simon Livhegwa (secretary), and Mr John Nenungwi (deputy secretary).
According to Mr Joseph Livhegwa, the committee has decided that, before the shops can reopen, the owners must agree to adhere to the following measures:
All shops must have clean shelves.
Prices must be clearly displayed on all items in the shop.
Shops must have cashiers.
Customers must receive receipts.
Shops must provide invoices indicating where they buy their stock.
Health inspectors must visit the village once a month to check for expired food in all shops, whether local or foreign-owned.
"We had a meeting with committee members and SANCO on Sunday evening, where we decided to take the matter to our traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho Randima, and SANCO, in order to make a unified decision as a community. For now, the foreign-owned businesses remain closed," said Livhegwa.