In a crucial development, an investigation into the deaths of six Naledi children, initially thought to have consumed poisoned snacks from a spaza shop, has revealed that no toxic chemicals were present in the food products.
Story Summary:
- No toxic chemicals were found in the snacks linked to the deaths of six children in Naledi, according to new tests.
- Environmental Health Practitioner Lucky Tshihanyise confirmed the results but emphasized that further investigation is ongoing to determine the actual cause.
- Despite the tests coming back negative, the community remains outraged, demanding answers as authorities continue searching for the source of the tragic deaths.
Inquest into Naledi children deaths takes shocking turn
This revelation was confirmed by Environmental Health Practitioner Lucky Tshihanyise on Tuesday, who stated that tests conducted on the snacks came back negative for contamination.
“The results are back from the alleged snack, and they proved negative of any chemical contamination. However, as a department, we are still busy with further investigations. A pronouncement will be made once the investigations are concluded,” Tshihanyise said.
The findings come after foreign-owned spaza shops were targeted in violent attacks and looting, with many in the community blaming these businesses for selling tainted goods that allegedly caused the deaths of the children.
The investigation, however, points to a different cause.
While this latest discovery rules out contamination in the snacks, the exact cause of the children’s deaths remains a mystery.
Tshihanyise clarified that more manpower is needed to determine what might have caused the deaths and to prevent further tragedies.
“We are monitoring spaza shops and ensuring food compliance issues around Naledi,” he added.
Families of the victims, who believed the toxic snacks were to blame, are devastated and continue to seek answers.
Among them is Thabiso Kobuoe, who lost his seven-year-old nephew, Katlego Olifant. Speaking to City Press at Katlego’s funeral on 20 October, Kobuoe said:
“Our community has lost too many children to things that should never have reached their hands. Someone has to pay for this.”
Katlego passed away on Sunday, 13 October 2024, a week after eating snacks from the spaza shop.
Five other children had died a week earlier under similar circumstances.
Authorities continue the search for a deadly chemical agent
Government authorities, led by the Department of Health, initially believed that a chemical agent was responsible for the deaths.
An army of 80 environmental inspectors, in collaboration with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), the SAPS, and other bodies, was deployed to Naledi to trace the source of the suspected poison.
Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the National Department of Health, stated,
“The primary focus now is on identifying the chemical agent responsible for these incidents. We have assembled a task force, and the investigation is being treated as a potential threat to national security.”
The Naledi community remains on edge, waiting for a definitive conclusion.
In the meantime, food safety inspections continue, and further laboratory tests are being conducted to rule out any other possible sources of contamination or other harmful agents.
