Thembeka Shezi with her son, Mpilo Siyamthanda Shezi, whose death is being investigated after he allegedly consumed energy drinks bought from a Pakistani-owned shop in KwaMashu, north of Durban. Police have opened an inquest.
The mother of a 13-year-old KwaMashu boy who died after allegedly consuming energy drinks bought from a local shop has called for the closure of all foreign-owned stores in her community, claiming residents are increasingly concerned about the safety of products sold to children.
Mpilo Siyamthanda Shezi, a Grade 7 learner at Zamokuhle Primary School in KwaMashu, reportedly collapsed and died on Tuesday after falling ill near his home.-
According to his mother, Thembeka Shezi, witnesses told the family that Mpilo had purchased two energy drinks from a shop owned by Pakistani nationals on the day of his death.
"His friends told us that he bought the first drink in the morning and consumed it before they left for school. They said he later returned to the shop and bought another one, which he drank in the afternoon," she said.
