A 37-year-old man and a five-year-old girl have died, while three others were rushed to hospital, following a suspected food poisoning incident at Eteni on Sunday.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, at around 10am.
Information gathered from sources close to the matter suggests that the series of events began on Saturday, when a 29-year-old woman, Sebenele Fakudze of Gilgal, allegedly discovered her boyfriend, Ntokozo Nzima of Dvokolwako, lying inside her house after he allegedly ingested a poisonous substance the previous day in what was suspected to have been a suicide.
She allegedly raised an alarm, attracting the attention of neighbours, who immediately assisted in rushing Nzima to hospital. However, he later died while receiving medical treatment.
Following the incident, Fakudze reportedly returned to her mother’s home to collect her three children, aged five, seven and one.
Upon their arrival at the house, the family allegedly ate food. However, while they were eating, the children reportedly started complaining of severe pain.
Concerned by the children’s condition, the mother allegedly tasted the food herself and noticed that it had an unusual taste, prompting her to raise the alarm.
The children were subsequently rushed to hospital, where five-year-old Asemahle Mahlalela was certified dead upon arrival.
Her seven-year-old sibling, Lethokuhle Mahlalela, was admitted to hospital in a critical condition, while Fakudze and her one-year-old child, Lindane Mahlalela, were treated and later discharged.
It is alleged that Fakudze and her children unknowingly consumed food that may have been poisoned. Sources further alleged that Nzima may have poisoned the food before his death, although the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.
A suspected poisonous substance was also allegedly found in the pockets of a jacket Nzima had reportedly worn earlier that day.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the incident.
She said Matsapha police had launched an investigation into one murder and three attempted murder cases arising from the tragic events at Eteni.
