Residents of Naledi, Soweto, have closed down spaza shops following the death of five children, allegedly after consuming snacks, including chips.The cause of death is yet to be established.

The five – Zinhle Maama, 7; Njabulo Msimango, 7; Karabo Rampou, 8; Isago Mabote, 8 and Monica Sathekge, 6 – died after allegedly eating packets of a snack known as “brown dash” over the weekend.

The five allegedly told their parents they bought snacks at two local spaza shops. Their friend, Katleho Olifant, 7, is fighting for his life at a private hospital in Soweto.

His mother, Lydia Olifant, claimed the boy is fighting for his life in ICU. She told News24 that doctors said it would be a miracle if he survived.

After news of the deaths of the children, locals initially closed down two shops owned by foreign nationals.However, on Tuesday morning, residents held a meeting at a community hall and decided to close all shops owned by foreign nationals in the area.

Community leader Mokalakala Motaung accused foreign nationals of selling expired foods.

“We are not violent. We are not looting their shops. We are ordering [them] to close and take away their stock. We don’t want them here anymore. Our children have died after eating snacks from their shops,” said Motaung.