A two-year-old boy tragically passed away from suspected food poisoning in Violetbank, near Bushbuckridge, on Monday, 30 October 2024.
Story Summary:
- A two-year-old boy has died in Bushbuckridge, with suspected food poisoning also affecting his siblings.
- Police are investigating the incident, coordinating with health experts on the potential cause.
- This follows a series of suspected food poisoning cases across South Africa.
Bushbuckridge food poisoning incident leaves two-year-old dead
Police in Mpumalanga responded to an urgent call involving four siblings, aged between two and five, all experiencing severe stomach pains.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, emergency personnel arrived at the scene, where the youngest child was pronounced dead.
The other three children were transported to a nearby hospital; two have since been discharged, while one remains under medical care.
An inquest case has been opened, and authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the cause of the poisoning, with police working closely alongside health experts.
Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi extended condolences to the family, making it clear that the investigation would proceed carefully to determine the source of the contamination.
“We have established a team of experts that are working with our partners in government and they already begun probing. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased child and wishes a swift recovery to the other affected children, “ the General said.
The police investigation will closely examine the food the children consumed prior to falling ill, as similar recent cases of food poisoning across South Africa have prompted concerns about potential contamination.
In a separate, unrelated case earlier this month, six children in Naledi, Soweto, died after consuming food laced with organophosphate, a toxic chemical compound found in certain pesticides.
Although the cause of the Bushbuckridge incident remains unknown, investigators are considering all possibilities, including contamination sources that might connect this incident with other recent poisonings.
