Poisoning victim’s family wants more answers

 

The father of one of the children who died after consuming suspected contaminated food in Naledi, Soweto, says even though they now know what killed the children, there’s still some unanswered questions.

Earlier, the Minister of health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, revealed that a pesticide known as organophosphate caused the recent deaths of six children in Naledi, Soweto.

Monica Sebetwana, Ida Maama, Isago Mabote, Karabo Rampou, Njabulo Msimanga and Katlego Olifant died after eating snacks from a local spaza shop.

Six-year-old Monica’s father, Joseph Sathekge, says government needs to do more to prevent any more cases of this nature.

 

 

 

 

He also believes that an all-hand-on deck approach between the authorities and communities will assist in nipping this scourge in the bud.

 

Motsoaledi has also on the other hand urged South Africans not to use organophosphate in domestic settings as, he says, it’s highly lethal.

He was briefing journalists alongside his small business development and police counterparts, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Senzo Mchunu, respectively.

Gauteng police boss, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, was also there.

He revealed that the four people who were arrested for selling illegal chemical substances during a spaza shops raid in Soweto last week were not linked to the deaths of the six children in Naledi.

 

While authorities await a final report from the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) on the Naledi controversy, social media users are having their say.

Possibilities are that six children who died in Naledi, Soweto, might have consumed snacks which were sprayed with a highly toxic pesticide called terbufos, a part of organophosphate poison. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that the poison was traced in the bodies.

— Kabelwamanong (@umbhaliwodumo) October 28, 2024

Minister STOP telling us about other departments!! WHAT IS ur DEPARTMENT PROACTIVELY AND REACTIVELY DOING ABOUT THESE SITUATIONS?? You’re not sharing salaries with Competent Minister Motsoaledi so stop hiding! You’re in the second term yerrr!!! @eNCA @SABCNews @Action4SA @MYANC

— Pamish (@Pamish77) October 28, 2024

This is sad and once again Dr Motsoaledi is showing leadership and love for his Country and its people. May God bless him.

— Juju (@Juju40780428069) October 28, 2024

This Motsoaledi is taking us for a fool, so why doesn’t he just be specific at once as to exactly which chemical killed them not its category it falls under. And who want to know the nationalities of the 3 women and man who were arrested.

— Prince (@Rehupulaneng1) October 28, 2024

And yet they said the tests were negative 🤔 there was no poisoning. Dankie Motsoaledi for exposing these useless government protecting the foreigners

— Moon lover❤️❤️ (@YeosinZa) October 28, 2024