Byline: Kelebogile Masemola
03 June 2022
A Grade 1 boy and Grade 2 girl from Kaalfontein Primary School and a one year old non-schooling girl child that were all siblings have passed away on Tuesday, 31 May 2022.
According to the Gauteng Education Department, the grandparent of the three deceased children sprinkled meat with rat poison and placed the container on top of the refrigerator while the kids were at school, with the intention to entrap rats in the house later at night.
The grandmother then left for church after placing the container on top of the refrigerator.
The learners gained access to their grandmother’s rat bait when they came back from school and consumed it.
Coming back from church, the grandparent found the siblings watching television, to the realisation that the container she left on top of the refrigerator was now in the sink.
When inquiring about what took place, the siblings confirmed that they gained access to the poisoned meat and consumed it.
She immediately gave them milk, and they began complaining about stomach cramps, they were rushed to a health facility and certified dead upon arrival.
Gauteng Education MEC, Mr. Panyaza Lesufi was shocked to learn about the two more deaths within the GDE schools.
“We wish to convey our sincerest condolences to the family, and the school community,” MEC Lesufi said.
The Gauteng Department of Education has dispatched its Psycho-Social Support Unit to the school to offer counseling to the school.
The services have also been offered to the grieving family.
