Authorities are investigating the death of two children who apparently died of food poisoning on the Cape Flats.
Eight people, including five children, received medical treatment in Weltevreden Valley on Monday.
It’s believed the people ate contaminated chicken bought from a neighbour in Samora Machel.
Mayco Member for Safety, Security and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith, said the Environmental Health Department is investigating suspected food poisoning.
“The investigation in this case will cover a number of aspects, including site visits to the home of the victims, the premises of the vendor where the food was purchased before preparation, and the farm where the vendor purchased the live chicken,” he says.
He said it appears only one household had been affected as no other cases were reported.
Darren Francis, Western Cape Health spokesman, confirmed two of the children passed away while three children are still being treated at Red Cross Children’s Hospital, where they are in a stable condition.
The little victims are Anele Ngqiba, six, and Asemahle Ngqiba, four.
“To date, one female patient has been discharged from Mitchells Plain Hospital and another male patient is still in a critical condition at Groote Schuur Hospital,” he says.
Francis said an inquest docket has been opened by the police for investigation and post-mortems would be conducted to determine the cause of death.