By Doreen Mokgolo
Three children are fighting for their lives at Pholosong Hospital in Tsakani after eating puff chips laced with rat poison on Friday night.
Their sibling, Thembinkosi Nkosi, 9, died while being rushed to the local hospital.
The puffs came from a local hawker who, when questioned, alleged the children stole them from his stall.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, the grieving mother, Zanele Khumalo, said she had sent her children to the nearby hawker to buy tomatoes to prepare supper just before the 8 pm scheduled load shedding.
“On their return, I didn’t see the snacks. They hid them from me. They knew I didn’t want them eating them after reports of children falling sick after eating snacks bought from tuck shops.
“They ate the snacks in their rooms during load shedding. I heard Thembinkosi calling one of his siblings to bring the candle closer as he felt like he ate soil particles or dried rat faeces.
“Not before long he started complaining about a headache, shaking and was struggling to breathe,” she said.
The family rushed him to the local hospital, and while on their way he turned weaker, threw up and turned unconscious. He was certified dead by the doctor on arrival.
His mother said that the doctors asked what the child had eaten as the deceased child showed signs of poisoning.
The doctor asked for all the other siblings to be rushed to hospital too.
Khumalo said when the hawker was questioned about the poisoned snacks, he confirmed that he had laced the puffs with rat poison to kill rats damaging his car wiring.
“He said he only poisoned one packet but there were two packs of snacks. I also wonder why the snacks were placed outside his stall in the street where children can easily access them,” she said.
Duduza police spokesperson Sergeant Harry Manaka said they have opened an inquest into the matter.
“Though the suspect was arrested he was released on the advice of the senior prosecutor. His statement was taken.
“We are awaiting the toxicology results and his movements are limited until the investigations are completed,” he said.
Pictured above: Zanele Khumalo (mother) and Matunzi Khumalo (grandmother).
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
