Two children dead after eating poisoned food
Two children, aged between three and five, have died from suspected food poisoning at a preschool.
The incident occurred on Monday last week.
It is believed the children, Nokuphiwa Zwane (3) and Hlalanathi Sikwana (5) ate food suspected to have been poisoned with rat poison at home, before arriving at school.
It is claimed the parents of the children are friends and sometimes share food.
The children were certified dead by the paramedics at the scene.
According to Ms Vuyelwa Sikwana, the children collapsed at the crèche.
“It is believed they complained about stomach pains and some foam came out of their mouths when they collapsed,” she said.
Ms Sikwana added that they are not sure what happened to the children.
“He was my only child. A very talkative boy who loved writing. It feels like needles have been put right into my heart. I do not have a single cent to arrange for his funeral,” she added.
Ms Sikwana is appealing for any donations to arrange for the funeral of her son.
“We are pleading for any help from a good Samaritan for the funeral arrangements,” she said.
The memorial service of the two children was held at the Loveness Pre-Primary Medium English on Thursday last week.
Nokuphiwa Zwane was buried in his home town of Bergville, in Kwazulu-Natal, on Saturday last week.
The Ivory Park SAPS communications officer, Warrant Officer Neldah Sekgobela, said an inquest case was opened.
“We are waiting for the post mortem results, which will reveal the cause of death. Investigations are continuing,” she said.
