A toxicology report has confirmed that six children who passed away earlier this month in a South African township had ingested organophosphate, a toxic compound commonly used in pesticides. The tragic incident, which took place in the Soweto township near Johannesburg, has raised urgent concerns about food safety regulations.
Reports suggest the children consumed snacks purchased from a local, informal shop. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi shared the toxicology findings, confirming that the deaths were due to organophosphate poisoning, typically found in agricultural pesticides.
Health officials are now conducting tests on samples from these township shops, known locally as spaza shops, to trace the source of contamination. Motsoaledi speculated that these shops may have been using the chemical to manage rodent infestations, possibly selling the pesticide locally for similar use.
“Any poison used to kill pests is not meant to endanger human lives,” Motsoaledi emphasized, underscoring the potential dangers of misusing such chemicals domestically.