Sophiatown police await toxicology report
WESTDENE – Police say their investigations are still at an early stage, but they are working hard to figure out the cause of death.
Police state that a toxicology report will determine the exact cause of the deaths of two toddlers.
Sophiatown police confirmed that they are currently investigating the case involving the deaths of two children from alleged poisoning at a Westdene pre-school. It has been discovered that the pre-school was running illegally and has been shut down since the discovery.
Spokesperson of the station Captain TJ de Bruyn shared details of the case. “On 10 May, two children got sick at a crèche in Westdene. The children were taken to hospital and unfortunately one died on the 10th and the other on the 11th of May.”
It is alleged that the two children consumed something containing rat poison, but police could not confirm this allegation as yet. Captain De Bruyn stated, “We are waiting for the toxicology report to come back because there were spores of poisoning that could’ve caused the deaths of the children.” He added that the results will help determine what the cause of death is and possibly track the location of the consumption of the alleged poison.
One of the mothers of the deceased shared her frustration with how long it’s taking to get answers. Antonette Assegaai, a Westdene resident, said, “I haven’t gotten anything from the police since the passing of my child. I’ve done everything they’ve asked for but we still don’t have answers, or seen anyone getting arrested for the death of two children.”
Captain de Bruyn went on to say that the investigations are still at an early stage, but can confirm two inquest dockets have been opened.
Related article:
Two pre-school learners die due to rat poison at Westdene daycare facility
