Mother arrested after deaths of two Vhembe brothers
Police say the circumstances surrounding the deaths are now the subject of a murder investigation.
LIMPOPO – Police in Tshilwavhusiku, Vhembe district, have opened a murder case following the deaths of two young brothers in separate incidents on Tuesday (June 2).
Child rushed to clinic after illness
At about 11:10, police were called to Tshilwavhusiku Health Centre after a report of a child who was suspected to have been poisoned. On arrival, officers were shown the body of a six-year-old boy who was certified dead at the facility.
Preliminary information indicates that the child’s father, who does not live with him, had taken him to the clinic at about 09:20 after he reportedly complained of stomach pains, diarrhoea and vomiting earlier that morning.
Second child found dead at home
Later the same day, at about 12:30, police received a report of a missing eight-year-old boy who had been at school. A search was conducted, and the child was found dead at his home in Madabani village.
Emergency Medical Services personnel declared him dead at the scene.
Siblings believed to be victims of suspected poisoning
Police said preliminary investigations suggest the two deceased children were siblings and that both deaths are suspected to be linked to poisoning.
Mother arrested as investigation intensifies
A 27-year-old woman, identified as the mother of the children, was arrested on Wednesday (June 3), in connection with the incident.
A postmortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
The motive for the incident is not yet known.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on two counts of murder.
Police investigations are continuing.
