Family hospitalised after eating vegetables that had been sprayed with pesticide
In response to the incident, Thulamela Municipality's Agricultural Advisor, Avhashoni Mulaudzi, said there is a need to educate people about pesticides.
LIMPOPO – Six members of the Tshamano family from Ha-Mabila village, near Tshilamba, were admitted at Donald Fraser Hospital, outside Sibasa, after eating vegetables that have been sprayed with pesticide.
“Our people need to be taught about the dangers of chemicals which are used to kill pests on vegetables, mostly people in rural areas who are not aware of the dangers or what might happen to them if they eat vegetables which have been sprayed,” Mulaudzi said.
“We do host campaigns to educate farmers and residents about the dangers of eating sprayed chemicals to avoid fatalities and health risks but as more people are creating small gardens in their homes, it is becoming apparent that more campaigns need to be conducted as a matter of urgency,” he added.
The family spokesperson, Dickson Ravhambelani, said: “One of the young men in the family, Takalani Tshamano, sprayed the pesticide on the vegetables to kill pests. It is believed that one of the pesticide used is very harmful and when sprayed on vegetables, one must wait for a period of seven days or more before eating those vegetables.”
“The vegetables were sprayed earlier that day to kill pests but later that evening, the same vegetables were consumed, not knowing this may cause harm to the entire family,” said Ravhambelani.
“We created the small garden to end hunger and eat healthy. Little did we know the same garden might land some of our relatives in hospital. We are, however, grateful that no one has died,” he concluded.
An ambulance was called to rush all six members to hospital few hours after eating their supper as they had started vomiting and experiencing stomach cramps.
