Naledi community suspects rat poisoning behind deaths of 5 children in area
The victims, all friends aged between six and ten, died on Sunday after allegedly consuming chips from a local spaza shop.
The families of five children who died on Sunday after allegedly consuming chips from a local spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto, are looking for closure.
JOHANNESBURG - The community of Naledi in Soweto suspects that rat poison may be behind the recent deaths of five children in the area.
The victims, all friends aged between six and ten, died on Sunday after allegedly consuming chips from a local spaza shop.
Two spaza shops on Tlhahlane Street in Soweto were shut down and looted by angry Naledi community members on Sunday following the deaths of the children.
The children died after showing symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, and frothing at the mouth, soon after they allegedly consumed chips from one of the spaza shops.
Dumisani Manisela, father of seven-year-old Zinhle Maama, one of the victims, said police allegedly found rat poison at one of the spaza shops.
"When I went to the police station, they said they found rat poisoning in the snacks that they ate."
Zinhle’s aunt, Neo, who spent a lot of time with her, said she was full of life.
"As a child, she was very bubbly, very inquisitive, very curious, always wanted to know more about everything, always interested in things, and she just had so much love."
The community of Naledi is planning a mass memorial for the children.