Ivory Park siblings die from rat poison
Three Ivory Park siblings, aged six, eight and 16 months, have died after allegedly mistakenly eating food laced with rat poison.
Three siblings from Ivory Park Ext Two have died after allegedly mistakenly eating food laced with rat poison.
According to Captain Ben Matimulane, spokesperson for Ivory Park SAPS, the incident that claimed the lives of the young girls occurred on May 31.
Two of the children, aged eight and six, were learners at Kaalfontein Primary School and the youngest, non-schooling, was 16 months old.
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“According to information at our disposal, while the children were at school, the grandparent of the children sprinkled the meat with rat poison and placed the container on top of the refrigerator with an intention to, later at night, entrap rats in the house and left for church,” said Steve Mabona, spokesperson for Gauteng Education spokesperson.
“Back from school, learners gained access to their grandmother’s rat bait and consumed it. Upon arrival from church, the grandparent found the children watching TV until she realised that the container she left on top of the refrigerator was now in the sink.
“When probing the situation, they confirmed that they gained access to the poisoned meat and ate it. She immediately gave them milk, and they started complaining about stomach cramps. They were rushed to a medical facility but were certified dead on arrival.”
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi was shocked to learn about the deaths.
“We wish to convey our sincerest condolences to the family and the school community,” said Lesufi.
The Gauteng Department of Education has dispatched its Psycho-Social Support Unit to the school to offer counselling. The services have also been offered to the bereaved family.
Ivory Park SAPS station commander Brigadier David Mbongeni Ngcobo has expressed sadness at the death of the siblings.
“Under no circumstances should poisonous substances be left unattended. Had this precaution been adhered to, this tragedy would have been avoided,” said Ngcobo.
Matimulane also said that an inquest has been opened and is being investigated by the Ivory Park SAPS.
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