Central SA
Possible food poisoning investigated in Mangaung─── ZENANDE MPAME 08:30 Tue, 25 Apr 2023
The police in Bloemfontein have launched an investigation of possible food poisoning after two separate families showed symptoms and several people died.
Free State police spokesperson Thabo Covane said they received a complaint from the Dr J.S. Moroka Hospital on Tuesday 11 April 2023 regarding three people who arrived at the hospital for treatment of alleged food poisoning and later died.
Covane said two others survived and are being treated in the Pelonomi Hospital.
The police suspect the patients might have eaten poisonous food that was made at home. The family had spaghetti and mince for supper. He said according to the two survivors, they started throwing up soon after consuming the food. Three family members – a mother (55), a daughter (28), and a grandson (3) died as a result.
The Local Criminal Records Centre sent the poisonous food to the National Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
Meanwhile, police from Kopanong were summoned to the Chris Hani Settlement outside of Bloemfontein on Saturday 22 April 2023, at around midday.
When the team arrived, they discovered the toddler unresponsive on the couch inside the home.
Covane explained they were informed that the mother (25) bought Joker Strawberry Cream biscuits from the neighbourhood shop.
The child is said to have eaten the biscuits with friends, who were also transported to the hospital for treatment and observation.
He added that the police went to the neighbourhood shop and gathered all similar products and sent them to the National Forensic Science Laboratory for examination.
The friends of the deceased child are making a full recovery, according to Covane.
Two dockets were opened and are being investigated separately.
