Agents that could be linked to the deaths of 11 Soweto children as a forensic pathologist confirmed that they were poisoned – probably by a cheap street-bought poison used to kill insects and rats.
One of the products is known as “halephirimi”, loosely translated as “you will not see the sunset”.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said police had received the forensic reports for 11 deaths – six this year and five last year – and all were linked to insect poison in a class called carbamates.
Certain carbamates have been banned in many countries.
The five children who died, allegedly after eating snacks bought from a Naledi spaza shop. From left: Karabo Rampou (9), Njabulo Msimanga (7), Ida Maama (7), Monica Sebetwana (6) and Isago Mabote (8).
Six children died in Naledi, Soweto, of suspected poisoning this month. The children – Monica Sebetwana (6), Ida Maama (7), Isago Mabote (8), Karabo Rampou (9), Njabulo Msimanga (7) and Katlego Olifant (7) – ate snacks from a local spaza shop that authorities believe were contaminated by pesticides.
Five others died in 2023. They were Leon Jele (6) and Neo Khang (4), also of Naledi, Refiloe Usman (6) from Tsakane, and Lufuno Bokang (5) and Dimakatso Tsotsotso (3) from Vosloorus.
“We have to be careful when we spray poison,” Mthombeni said, adding that food can be contaminated in shops and kitchens. He said street food cooks and snack vendors also used poison to keep pests away. People were spraying it where they cooked, or on to packaging.