Police confirm Klarinet boy and uncle died from poisoning
Toxicology tests will determine the type of poison involved as police continue investigating the deaths.
Post-mortem examinations have confirmed that a four-year-old boy and his 43-year-old uncle, died as a result of poisoning after they allegedly consumed biscuits in Klarinet Ext 3.
Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said, “The post-mortem results show that the two died as a result of poison. Toxicology tests will now be conducted to determine the type of poison involved.”
The tragedy unfolded on July 8 when the pair allegedly ate biscuits that had been handed to them by a spaza shop owner who was leaving the area amid unrest.
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Family member of the deceased said the shop owner had been reluctant to open his business because he feared it would be looted.
“He did not want to open. I spoke to my friend, and there was no looting. We then took the groceries out of the shop and put them in another room,” she said.
She added that the remaining stock was moved to a safer location while arrangements were made for it to be collected. The shop owner later left with some of the stock and gave some items to people who had helped him secure his belongings.
“When I got home, Musa was eating the biscuits and drinking a cold drink. His nephew had also eaten some of the biscuits,” she said. “Shortly afterwards, both [of them] became ill.”
According to Masondo, the two started feeling dizzy and vomiting. They were taken to a local medical facility, where they were certified dead on arrival.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are ongoing.
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