CAPE TOWN - Police have opened an inquest following the deaths of three children – a baby of four months and an 11- and seven-year-old – after they ate noodles.
Police spokesperson Priscilla Naidu said: “It is alleged that on Saturday, the three children accompanied their grandparents on a visit to relatives in New Brighton. They stayed over and on Sunday, the 11-year-old girl (Sinothando Ngwendu) went to the shop and bought a packet of noodles. She then cooked it and the three children ate it before leaving to go back to Motherwell.”
When they arrived home in Motherwell, Sinothando complained of feeling nauseous.
“Her grandmother gave her some water to drink. The other child, Olwam Ngwendu, seven, also complained of stomach cramps and nausea. While being driven with private transport to the Motherwell clinic, they passed away.
“Shortly after the two children left for hospital, Athenkosi Ngwendu, four months, also passed away while on route to hospital in another vehicle. Sinothando Ngwendu is a cousin of Olwam and Athenkosi Ngwendu.
“A post mortem will be conducted to establish the exact cause of their deaths.”
Last month, 37 people were taken to hospital following an alleged food poisoning in Seawinds, Cape Town. Residents had eaten from a community-cooked batch of food before they began experiencing stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.
No deaths were reported. The City had launched an investigation into the incident.
Cape Times