A 46-year-old woman from Moneni allegedly poisoned her three children before taking her own life on Monday night.
The victims, aged five, 14 and 16, were rushed to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, where they are said to be recovering.
Sources close to the family said the woman, identified as Celiswa Dlamini, made her children drink a soft drink laced with poison before she took the same substance and later died inside a burning vehicle.
Possible Marital Problems
According to sources, Dlamini had been facing marital challenges, including a dispute with her lover over a mini-truck she was using for business.
She reportedly lived with her two sons and her lover’s five-year-old daughter at her aunt’s homestead in Moneni.
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On Monday evening, around 8:30pm, she allegedly purchased a deadly pesticide, with a receipt later found in her home.
On the back of the receipt, she had written the name of the younger child’s father and instructed that the child, along with a bank card, be handed over to him.
Children Fell Ill After Drinking
That same night, the truck driver who worked for her reportedly returned home after completing his daily trips.
Sources believe that after he left, Dlamini gave the poisoned drink to the children and then went outside the house.
Moments later, the children began complaining of stomach pains.
The eldest son reportedly ran to his uncle’s house to report that their mother had made them drink something strange.
He collapsed moments later, prompting his uncle to rush all three children to RFM Hospital.
Mother Found Inside Burning Truck
When family members and neighbours realised Dlamini was missing, they began searching for her around the homestead.
It was then that someone noticed that the truck was on fire.
“Some neighbours shouted that the vehicle was burning, and when we tried to put out the fire, we found that she was inside,”
said one witness.
After extinguishing the blaze, a jar believed to have contained the poisoned drink was discovered in the vehicle.
A neighbour’s car was used to rush Dlamini to RFM Hospital, where she was certified dead on arrival.
Family in Shock
The woman’s father, identified only as Dlamini, said the family was devastated and confused by the incident.
“She had not complained about any problems. We still cannot understand what drove her to do this,”
he said.
Police Confirmation
Acting Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, confirmed the incident.
She said the three children were recovering at RFM Hospital.
