Two children die, two hospitilised after allegedly consuming poison

Two children, Simoesihle Mdletshe (2) and Siphesihle Mkhaokhao (2), died and two siblings Siyamthanda (2) and Iminathi (3) Sithole are fighting for their lives in hospital after they allegedly ate rat poison in Daggafontein on Monday afternoon.

The children were playing when they started crying and complaining of stomach aches. The grieving mother, Duduzile Mdletshe, said she grew concerned when she heard her son crying hysterically.

“Foam started coming out of his nose and mouth. I called my neighbours to call an ambulance and he grew weaker. By the time the ambulance arrived, he was already dead,” she added.

She added the other children also started complaining of stomach cramps. The second child also died.

The two other children were rushed to the hospital. Another parent left her two children with her neighbour while she went to work.

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“Upon my return, I was told about the incident and my two children started complaining about feeling sleepy. I decided to give them milk and cooking oil in case they too consumed poison and rushed them to hospital,” she added.

Concerned resident Ofentse Rakhudu said they suspect the children ate rat poison, thinking it was sweets.

“We have a challenge with rats in the area. Now and then pesticides are scattered in the yards to kill the rats. Two of my dogs died of the same symptoms last week from the same poison. We are urging residents and pesticide companies to find alternative ways to kill the rats,” he added.

Springs police spokesperson Sergeant Themba Tshabalala confirmed they opened two inquest dockets and two attempted murder cases.

“Police investigations are ongoing. We are still waiting for a post-mortem report to determine the cause of the deaths,” he added.

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