An organophosphate pesticide, terbufos, has been confirmed as the cause of death for six children in Soweto, who reportedly consumed snacks purchased from a local spaza shop.

“The organophosphate identified in this instance is terbufos,” said Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.

Earlier this month, Gauteng MEC of Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, called for calm in Naledi, Soweto, following reports of community members looting and shutting down foreign-owned shops.

At a media briefing yesterday, Motsoaledi confirmed terbufos ingestion as the cause of death for all six children.

“Organophosphates are a group of chemicals commonly used in agriculture as pesticides. In this case, terbufos was identified,” he explained.

As part of the investigation, 80 environmental health practitioners were deployed alongside officials from other relevant government departments to address the food-borne threat in Naledi.

“These teams inspected 84 spaza shops to find evidence of the substance linked to the recent fatalities. The operation was concluded under the supervision of experts from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases,” Motsoaledi said.

Toxicology results confirmed that organophosphates, not carbamates, caused the deaths. The minister noted that organophosphates are highly toxic, with potential for irreversible harm.

Arrests and further testing

Motsoaledi also reported that four people were arrested at Johannesburg Mall for allegedly trading in the illegal chemical aldicarb. This substance, belonging to the carbamate class, was not linked to the children’s deaths but remains illegal for public sale due to its toxicity.

Samples collected from the spaza shops in Soweto were sent to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) for analysis. A packet of chips found in one of the children’s pockets was also tested and came back negative.

Gauteng police commissioner General Tommy Mthombeni confirmed that the four arrested individuals were released with a warning and fined R2 000, as they had sold a different chemical not implicated in the deaths.

Warning and concerns

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu urged parents to discourage children from purchasing food outside school premises, expressing condolences to the affected families.

The Department of Basic Education has also raised concerns over the increase in food poisoning cases among school-aged children, noting the disruptions to learning and the psycho-social impact on both students and teachers.

“These incidents mostly involve items bought from vendors near schools,” the department said, acknowledging efforts by various government bodies to resolve the situation. – SAnews.gov.za