Two minor siblings died six hours apart after drinking juice from a container that had previously held pesticide at Ndlembeni, Luhlangotsini Constituency, outside Pigg’s Peak.
Four children consumed the contaminated juice, but only two survived.
Siphiwe (5) and Anele (2) Dlamini died six hours apart on Thursday after consuming the juice.
It is said the four siblings started screaming after they experienced stomach pains.
A family member disclosed that two of the children couldn’t make it, while the remaining others, aged seven and nine, were taken to hospital where they were treated and discharged.
The children had remained home with their father Majahencwala Dlamini, who served them with juice prepared in different cups, after giving them food.
Somehow, the children became playful and decided to drink the juice from the same bottle.
The witness said the children picked up a dirty container from a backyard garden, which had previously been used to prepare a pesticide, unknowingly.
The youngest was the first to take a sip, followed by the five-year-old.
All the children drank from the same dirty container.
After the five-year-old girl started throwing up, saying her stomach was hurting, the father figured out that the children had been drinking from the dirty container.
The girl became weak as he administered first aid. She later became unconscious.
Reports
The mother of the children, Zandile Dlamini, had gone no less than an hour to the local elementary school (Luhlangotsini Primary School) to collect academic reports for the two elder siblings, when she received a call informing her about the terrible news.
She had to turn back home immediately.
The grieving woman said when she returned it was too late for the five-year-old.
The youngest also succumbed to the illness before the family could arrange for transport to ferry the children to hospital.
This became too much for the mother who became hysterical with grief. She lost consciousness and had to be taken to hospital, alongside the two other children.
The woman’s brother said she was severely traumatised.
“It was a stressful and emotional moment for her. We took her to hospital alongside the children,” he said.
The children’s uncle described what befell the Dlamini family as a tragic incident.
“My sister was completely shocked and totally distressed. We had to give her time to regain strength,” he said.
He disclosed that both parents were not in gainful employment and appealed for assistance in burying the two children.
Anyone willing to assist can reach the family on 7943 5873.
The family expressed their wish to have the children buried over the weekend, possibly tomorrow if they eventually manage to mobilise funds.
The tragic incident was confirmed by acting Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni.
