Soweto school children poisonings: Health minister confirms chemical as the cause of deaths

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has revealed what caused the death of the six schoolchildren in Naledi, Soweto.

Motsoaledi said the investigation conducted by their toxicologist revealed that the children “unequivocally” died of organophosphate poisoning.

Organophosphates are a class of chemicals usually used for agricultural purposes, medications, and nerve agents.

Investigation reveals deadly chemical

After investigating three possible causes of death, toxicologists identified the specific chemical responsible.

“Looking at the signs and symptoms of the children we settled on the chemical agent,” Motsoaledi said.

The minister revealed that laboratory tests provided definitive results.

“The organophosphate identified in this instance is called terbufos. All the six children died of terbufos injection,” he said.

Terbufos is found in pesticides.

The minister emphasised the lethality of organophosphate, citing irreversible effects.

He added that samples taken via swabs in the spaza shops in Soweto were sent to the National Health Laboratory.

Should organophosphate be found in the samples, only then can the officials link the deaths of the children to the spaza shops.

A packet of chips found in one victim’s pocket tested negative for organophosphate contamination.

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Why children were more vulnerable

Addressing public concerns on social media about why shop owners remained unaffected, Motsoaledi listed three reasons.

“Children are more susceptible to pesticide toxicity and other environmental toxicants than adults,” he explained.

The minister said the key factors making children particularly vulnerable included small body mass, developing organs, and multiple exposure routes through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact.

He also mentioned the behavioural patterns of children highlighting hand-to-object-to-mouth tactics.

Contaminated clothing can also carry the toxins of the pesticide.

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Warning signs and treatment

Medical experts identified several symptoms of organophosphate poisoning.

Severe diarrhoea, vomiting, foaming at the mouth and nose, tears readily flowing from the eyes without crying, and constant urination were among the listed signs and symptoms of organophosphate toxicity.

The department provided healthcare guidance to practitioners.

“Apart from supportive treatment well known by doctors and nurses, we wish to advise that the antidote of Organophosphate and Carbamate poisoning is Intra-venous atropine injection; – we also wish to advise that if faced with the possible Organophosphate poisoning, doctors also need to use Afritox. This is an App designed by the poisoning centre, which will advise them step-by-step on what to do.”

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Regulatory action needed

Motsoaledi said the health department suspects the chemical entered spaza shops as a rodent control measure, possibly as an illegal substitute for Ratex.

Additionally, Motsoaledi stressed that organophosphates require certification and should only be used in agricultural settings, away from domesticated settings

The health department called for stricter regulation of spaza shops, emphasising that rental space occupants should not produce food for public consumption without proper authorisation.

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