Motsoaledi Reveals Toxic Chemical Killed Six Children in Soweto
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has disclosed the cause of death for the six Naledi, Soweto children, confirming it was organophosphate poisoning, a chemical commonly found in pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides.
The Victims and Tragic Events Leading to Their Deaths
The tragic victims—Zinhle Maama, 7; Monica Sathekge, 6; Njabulo Msimango, 7; Karabo Rampou, 8; Isago Mabote, 7; and Katleho Olifant, 7—died after reportedly consuming snacks from a local spaza shop earlier this month. While the first five passed shortly after eating the snacks, Katleho succumbed a week later in the hospital.
In a press briefing on Monday morning in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg, Motsoaledi shared findings from the investigation, stating,
“The results show that the cause of death is unequivocally organophosphate. When we mentioned to you that we were chasing a chemical, we had believed that it was organophosphate. We took that from the symptoms.”
Also read: Tragedy Strikes Soweto: Four Children Dead After Eating Snacks from Local Spaza Shop
Motsoaledi Reveals Toxic Chemical Killed Six Children in Soweto
The investigation identified the specific compound as terbufos, a potent pesticide not meant for domestic use. Minister Motsoaledi explained that access to this chemical requires certification.
Motsoaledi speculated that some spaza shop owners might have used terbufos as an unregulated method of pest control.
“Our theory is that spaza shops use it as pesticides to kill rats. I want to believe that there are rats in a number of spaza shops, so it came to spaza shops in that manner. Until we are proven otherwise and if the spaza shop owners are found to have been guilty of this, they will be charged,” he said.