The police in De Deur have launched an investigation into the deaths of two boys aged 9-years-old and 5-years-old at Ramaphosa Informal Settlement in Rus-ter-Vaal.

This is after the two boys allegedly consumed poisoned food from a local dumping site.

Police Spokesperson Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela reports that police were summoned to the scene at 11:30 on Wednesday.

“On arrival at the scene, police found two lifeless bodies lying in the street. It is reported that the two boys decided to play next to a dumping site nearby and consumed an unknown substance from the rubbish dump. Soon after returning from the dump site, they started complaining of being tired and hungry. Shortly thereafter, the boys complained of stomach aches.”

Maxambela reports that the boys both fell on the ground and a white foam started flowing from their mouths.

“Both boys succumbed on the scene and were declared dead by EMS Services. It is not known what the boys consumed.

“A search in the area where they were allegedly playing yielded no results. According to their sister, they told her that they picked up some bread which they ate, as they were hungry.

“SAPS is advising parents and guardians to take extra caution as school holidays are approaching. Children should be warned against eating from rubbish dumps. The community is also encouraged to discard of rat poison and poisoned food wisely.”