‘We’re not angry, we’re shattered’: Family of sixth Naledi child who died of suspected food poisoning
Katleho Olifant was the last surviving child after his five friends died last week after they allegedly ate chips from a spaza shop before displaying worrying symptoms and dying shortly after.
An emotional Lydia Olifant, the mother of Katleho Olifant (7), after her son was hospitalised for suspected food poisoning after he and five other children consumed snacks from a local spaza shop. Katleho died on 12 October 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The family of a seven-year-old boy who died in a case of suspected food poisoning in Naledi, Soweto, said they are shattered by his death.
Katleho Olifant was the last surviving child after his five friends died last week.
The children allegedly ate chips from a spaza shop before displaying worrying symptoms and dying shortly after.
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Katleho spent a week in hospital before succumbing to his condition at the weekend.
Described as a quiet yet brotherly figure to his younger friends, seven-year-old Katleho was a pillar of strength for his mother, Lydia.
Katleho died on Saturday after a week in the ICU, where doctors were treating him for suspected food poisoning.
His aunt, Sibongile Sekgalo, said funeral plans are underway.
"We are hoping to bury Katleho on the weekend, but considering we have two funerals on the same street, we need to communicate with our neighbours to work this out."
She said that the family was struggling to come to terms with everything that has transpired.
"Anger, neh? We are not angry because I believe in anger, we will make irrelevant decisions, but we’re shattered."
The children’s post-mortem results are expected within the coming weeks.