Five children in Soweto, South Africa, died after eating snacks they allegedly bought from a local spaza shop. The families are now seeking answers about the seven-year-old boy who is fighting for his life in hospital. The children, Zinhle Masilela, Isago Mabote, Monica Sathege, and Karabo Rampou, were all believed to have consumed the snacks while playing and then fell ill when they returned to their homes. They complained of stomach pains, headaches, and drowsiness, and some were given food because they said they were hungry.
The families hope that the boy in hospital can tell them what happened, as the children left them with more questions than answers. One of the deceased children, Zinhle Masilela's father Dumisani, hopes that the boy in hospital will push through and provide answers to their questions.
The other children who died were Isago Mabote, Monica Sathege, and Karabo Rampou. All the children had vomited something yellow-brown in color and were also foaming. Doctors who attended to their children at different healthcare facilities had told them they suspected rat poison. The shop where they allegedly bought the snacks was closed on Monday.
Gauteng police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi announced that the police have opened an inquest docket after five kids aged between six and nine years old were declared dead at the local Naledi clinic on October 6, 2024. The circumstances leading to their deaths are unknown at this stage pending police investigations.
The hospitalized boy's aunt expressed her pain and hope for his recovery. She said Zinhle told her mother she was hungry when she got home around 5pm and started vomiting the small pieces of food her mother fed her. Monica's father Tiny Sathege said the boy in the hospital had walked his daughter home and as soon as she arrived, she was tired and hungry. He tried to call the ambulance but it was already too late.
Isago's grandmother, Agnes Mabote, said there was a loud banging on the door as if something had fallen. She pushed him to eat some food but he wasn't really feeling it and said that he was in pain. He kept saying, 'Mama I am going to die'. He repeated it and then started vomiting.
Karabo's aunt, Mpho Rampou, said she was on the way to assist Isago's family when she was stopped by a neighbor who said Karabo was vomiting. She found him laying on the floor completely out of it and was not responsive. They quickly took him to the clinic, where they tried to wake him up but knew it was too late.
Story republished from The Sowetan. Click here to read the original article.
