Twins die of poisoning

The Hlatshwayo family is devastated after the sudden death of six-year-old twins, Itumeleng and Tumelo who were allegedly fed poison by their father to get revenge against their mother, Puleng Hlatshwayo (31).

According to Nthabiseng, the little boy and girl’s aunt, the father was bitter after his separation with the twins’ mother in October last year.

She said, after the separation, the suspect started sending threatening SMSes to Puleng saying that he was going to kill their children.

It is alleged that the father fetched the twins from their home at Duduza’s Roseview section and later sent an SMS saying that he and the kids were going to kill themselves.

Nthabiseng says Puleng was relieved to hear that her children were dropped off by their father while she was on her way to the police station to report the matter.

“We were all happy to know that the children were back home safe, not knowing that there was still more to come,” said a sad Nthabiseng.

She said the children started to throw up later that night and when they were asked what they has eaten, they said their father offered them food and a drink that had a weird taste.

They were rushed to Pholosong Hospital in Tsakane but Itumeleng died shortly after arriving while there was still hope that Tumelo was going to get better.

“The family was shocked after the hospital called to inform us about the passing of Tumelo on Thursday evening,” said Nthabiseng.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday at the Dutch Reformed Church in Duduza at the corner of Mthethwa and Ntomela streets from 9am and the cortege will leave for the Nigel cemetery at 10am.

Captain Johannes Ramphora of the Springs police confirms that a case of murder has been opened and the suspect after the police arrested him in North West.

He was also taken to Pholosong Hospital after he fell sick at the police holding cells.

“He is under the police guard and when he is discharged, he will face the charges laid against him,” concluded Ramphora.