In a devastating development, the South African Health Ministry confirmed that organophosphate, a dangerous chemical compound commonly found in pesticides, was responsible for the deaths of six children in Naledi, Soweto earlier this month.
Story Summary:
- Toxicology results confirmed organophosphate poisoning as the cause of death for six children in Naledi, Soweto.
- Authorities suspect the chemical was misused as a pesticide in local shops.
- Health inspections and arrests are ongoing in an effort to control the spread of hazardous chemicals in informal retail.
Organophosphate identified as killing agent in Naledi children deaths
The children, aged between three and 13, reportedly ingested food contaminated by the toxic compound, which has severe, sometimes fatal, effects, especially on children due to their smaller body mass and underdeveloped immune systems.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, during a press briefing on Monday, confirmed that toxicology tests found traces of organophosphate in the children’s bodies.
However, further testing ruled out contamination in the snacks found at the scene.
“We suspect that organophosphates may have been improperly used as a pesticide by spaza shop owners, but this remains unconfirmed,” said Dr Motsoaledi.
He added that children are particularly vulnerable to poisoning from these compounds, which can lead to severe symptoms such as respiratory distress and seizures, often resulting in death if left untreated.
In response to the tragedy, health inspectors launched an intensive sweep of spaza shops in the Naledi area, searching for illegal chemicals potentially misused in food storage or preparation.
So far, inspections have been carried out in over 80 spaza shops, resulting in the arrest of four individuals found in possession of unregistered chemicals similar to those believed to have been involved in the Naledi poisoning.
Dr Motsoaledi noted that the arrests included three women and one man, who allegedly sourced the chemicals from a Johannesburg mall.
The health department, alongside the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), has deployed about 140 inspectors to monitor compliance and confiscate any harmful substances.
“This operation isn’t targeting foreign nationals; it’s about ensuring the safety of all residents by regulating what is sold in these community stores,” Motsoaledi clarified.
The Naledi incident is one of several recent cases of food poisoning linked to local shops.
In Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, three children under the age of four also died after allegedly consuming contaminated snacks.
Additionally, in Mpumalanga, 24 children from Enzani Primary School were hospitalised last week after falling ill from snacks bought at a local spaza shop.
However, the precise cause in these cases remains under investigation.
