Kids deaths: pest poison to blame?

SNACKS: SIXTH VICTIM DIES AS 5 FRIENDS ARE BURIED

- Ina Opperman

The sixth child who ate snacks bought at a spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto, died on Sunday while people were attending the funeral of five of his friends. But although the incident was ascribed to food poisoning, it was probably not the case, said an expert. It is more likely they died from eating food contaminated with a pesticide, such as aldicarb or twostep, based on their symptoms. An expert, who could not be named because he is not allowed to speak to the media, said spaza shops often sold pesticides, such as aldicarb, in small packets that the owners make up themselves from containers of pesticides. They also buy snacks, such as chips, in bulk and make up smaller packets to sell at their shops. However, they do not adhere to safety standards and handle the pesticides and the snacks without the necessary precautions to prevent contamination. And when health inspectors find pesticides at spaza shops, they are not allowed to remove it as they can also be arrested if it is found in their possession. The best they can do is notify the local police, who must remove it. Katlego Oliphant, seven, died after a week in intensive care, Joburg MMC for health and social development Ennie Ma