Suspected food poisoning claims lives of two children in Brits

Police in Brits have initiated an inquest following the tragic deaths of two children, aged three and 10. The investigation was launched after a suspected case of food poisoning occurred in Sonop, just outside Brits, on Friday, 17 November 2023. Reports indicate that a 32-year-old woman prepared a meal consisting of pap, chicken feet, and wheat for her family. Both the family and three neighbouring children ate the the meal before going to bed.

In the early hours of Saturday, 18 November 2023, everyone that ate the meal started showing signs of illness, including vomiting. Despite the swift arrival of an ambulance, one child was pronounced dead at the scene. Others, including the woman who cooked the meal and the neighbor’s children, were rushed to Brits Hospital for urgent care. Tragically, a second child succumbed at the hospital, and two more children were subsequently transferred to George Mukhari hospital for further treatment.
“Authorities are actively investigating the incident, including the collection and testing of food samples,” spokesperson for SAPS, brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said. This event adds to a growing list of similar incidents across the country, where children have fallen ill due to consuming contaminated food.