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A six-year-old girl is the only family member that survived an alleged poisoning in Limpopo, South Africa on Monday night.
Limpopo police are investigating cases of murder, attempted murder and have opened an inquest docket after a 35-year-old woman allegedly poisoned herself and her two young children on Monday night, 16 August.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the alleged poisoning took place at approximately 20:30 on Monday. The woman reportedly cooked food for herself and her two daughters – aged six and two years old – and allegedly contaminated the meals with a poisonous substance.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said police believe the woman intended to end her and her children’s lives.
“After eating the food, the woman and her children reportedly started vomiting and were rushed to Rotterdam clinic where the youngest child was certified dead on arrival,” said Mojapelo.
The police said the mother was transferred to Kgapane Hospital from the clinic but she succumbed to the alleged poisoning before she arrived at the medical facility. The six-year-old is the sole survivor and is in a stable condition, according to the authorities.
The woman and the two children were living with her mother who is a pensioner. “…preliminary police investigation revealed that the motive for the alleged poisoning was possibly perpetuated by financial burdens,” said Mojapelo.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the police commissioner of Limpopo, condemned the incident and said people must seek help from their families, pastors, friends or professionals to prevent tragedies such as this. The investigation continues.
