NATIONAL NEWS - The Makofane siblings, who died shortly after sharing a packet of instant noodles for breakfast in November 2021, was poised with Terbufos. But where the poison came from has the family baffled.
The results of the forensic investigation were given to the Makofane family last week.
Terbufos is a chemical compound used in insecticides and nematicides. It is part of the chemical family of organophosphates and is a clear, colourless to pale yellow or reddish-brown liquid which is sold commercially as granulates.
Thato Makofane (9) and her brother, Keamoketswe (13), mysteriously died within a short period of each other on Tuesday morning, November 9 last year. Their death certificates state that the cause of death was still under investigation.
Their mother, Matlatsi and grandmother, Winnie, claimed the children shared a packet of instant noodles before leaving for school.
Thato Makofane (9)
Thato left first for the bus stop to wait for the school bus. Keamoketswe stayed behind because their mother was still helping him with an assignment that he was supposed to take to school.
After Keamoketswe received his assignment he followed his sister to the bus stop.
Their mother said Keamoketswe came running back home after a few minutes to report that his sister had collapsed, and she was rushed to the clinic at Extension 19 in eMbalenhle, near Secunda, where she was declared dead.
During that time, the family received a distressing call from a family friend, Mantoa Motloung, who informed them that their son had also collapsed. He was rushed to the same clinic where he was also declared dead.
Keamoketswe Mafokane (13)
The Makofane family said at the time they did not want to speculate about whether the noodles could have contributed to their children’s deaths until they receive the post-mortem results.
Both siblings were learners at Osizweni Primary School. Keamoketswe was a Grade 7 learner and Thato was in Grade 4.
Constable Busi Mthethwa, eMbalenhle police spokesperson, said two inquest dockets were opened because of the different scenes where children died. He confirmed that the forensic results were received and the family was informed about the outcome.
After receiving the post-mortem results, the mother of the deceased says the family now have more questions than answers.
“We hope that police will resolve this mystery and hopefully get answers about how the children consumed poison and where it came from,” she says.
Hundreds of people, including learners and teachers from Osizweni Primary School, paid their last respects to Keamoketswe and Thato on Sunday, November 14 last year. The funeral service was held at K.I. Thwala Secondary School and the children were laid to rest in the Extension 14 cemetery in eMbalenhle.
