Grieving mom recalls last moments before her children were ‘poisoned’

“I kept questioning myself about what I did wrong. Who would want to do something like this to me?”

These are the words of grieving Ntabiseng Malope, the mother of one of two Actonville children who died after eating bread allegedly laced with poison on October 27. Her youngest child (two) is fighting for his life at Tambo Memorial Hospital.

SAPS district communications officer Captain Neldah Sekgobela said it is alleged that an unknown man approached three children playing in the street at around 08:00 and gave them bread.

“An uncle of the children noticed one of them, a four-year-old boy, was unwell and immediately took him to a local clinic. He died on arrival.”

Sekgobela said a few minutes later, two boys from the same house were admitted to the clinic with the same symptoms.

“They were treated and transferred to Tambo Memorial Hospital. One of the two children died on October 28 in hospital,” said Sekgobela.

In an exclusive interview with the Benoni City Times on November 2, Malope recounted her last moments with her child, Khethukuthula Phakathi (four), and her sister’s child, Kagiso Pitso (four).

According to the distraught mother, on the day of the incident, she was doing laundry while Khethukuthula and his sibling, Enzokuhle (two), played with Kagiso outside.

“My neighbour came to our house and informed us that an unknown man gave bread to the children. Apparently, Kagiso ate the whole slice while Khethukuthula shared the bread with his younger brother.”

Malope said she then told the children to remain indoors, but Kagiso refused and ran outside again to play.

Also Read: Two Actonville children die after eating ‘poisoned’ bread

“A few minutes later, he was brought to the house by our neighbour, saying he had fainted a few metres from our house.

“He was weak and wasn’t talking. He was drooling, and foam was coming out of his mouth. I told my brother to take him to the clinic. He and his friend immediately rushed to the hospital, but Kagiso died on arrival.”

The 23-year-old mother said while she remained at the house pondering what could have caused Kagiso’s condition, she wondered if it could have been the bread they were given to eat.

“We bought milk for my two children, who were in a stable condition at the time. However, a few minutes later, they were unwell, and I rushed them to the clinic. They attended to the children and transferred them to hospital. I was heartbroken. I didn’t know what to do.”

The single mom said she slept on a bench at the hospital until the next day, then decided to go home, walking all the way from Tambo Memorial Hospital to Actonville because she had no taxi fee.

The mother, who couldn’t hold back her tears, said she was shocked to learn that her son, Khethukuthula, had died after she left the hospital.

“I really hoped he would pull through. I was relieved when the nurses told me that Enzokuhle was still in ICU. Seeing my son in that state broke my heart. It made me feel I failed them somehow because I could have been more observant.”

Malope said as part of keeping the children’s memory alive, she hopes to renovate their home.

“I believe this was a home to my children, even though it’s deteriorating. If I had the power and was employed, I would make it a home again. Make it safer so they can be proud because this house has many memories.

“I would appreciate it if the public could assist in making my children’s dream come true regarding renovating their home. They had so much life and were clever,” said Malope.

The rundown house has unpainted walls and no windows.

Kagiso was buried on October 31, and Khethukuthula on November 4.

According to the police, an adult female from the same address died on November 1, allegedly from food poisoning.

The Actonville police have opened three inquest dockets. Anyone with information should contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111.

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