Everson Luhanga
A family in Ratanda Gauteng lost three children and the fourth one is in a critical condition in hospital after they were allegedly poisoned by their father.
Their father is also in hospital under police guard after cops found him unconscious at his house in Ratanda near Heidelberg.
Provincial police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the incident and said police had opened a case of murder and attempted murder.
The children, all boys, aged 6, 13, and 16 died after their father allegedly gave them an energy drink that is suspected of containing poison.
Gauteng’s Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, expressed his devastation at the news of the tragic deaths.
The boys were learners at Ratanda Primary and Khanya Lesedi Secondary Schools in Ratanda.
Lesufi said preliminary reports allege that the father of the three deceased gave all his five children energy drinks in the morning while they were preparing for school.
Four of them consumed the drink after arriving at school on Thursday.
“Sadly, two of the said learners died shortly after at the school after complaining of stomach pains while the third one was rushed to the nearest hospital but died on the way.
“The fourth sibling is in a critical condition at the hospital while the fifth, fortunately, did not consume the energy drink,” said Lesufi in a statement released on Thursday.
Lesufi conveyed his condolences to the family and especially the mother of the deceased. “I further extend my condolences to friends, fellow learners, and teachers of the learners, especially those who had witnessed these tragic incidents,” Lesufi said.
He said at this stage it is not known what led to the deaths and law enforcement agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding them.
The Gauteng Department of Education has dispatched its Psycho-Social Support Unit to the affected schools to offer counselling to the school community at large. The services have also been offered to the bereaved family.
MEC Lesufi will visit both schools and family, starting at Ratanda Primary School on Friday morning.
Lieutenant-Colonel Masondo said the police found the boys’ father unconscious in the house. He was taken to hospital under police guard.
The SAPS Forensic Specialists were also called to the scene. The police will await the post-mortem results which will determine the exact cause of death.
Image source: Heidelberg Times
