Story By: Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
Three South African brothers have died after consuming an energy drink given to them by their father who allegedly mixed it with poison.
The father, not named in South African media, is said to have spiked the boys’ snacks before they left the family home in Heidelberg, Gauteng Province, on 26th May.
Three brothers – Lehlogonolo Khoabane, 16, Katleho Khoabane,13, and six-year-old Tebogo Ngcongwane – reportedly all died after downing the drink.
A fourth is in hospital in a ‘critical’ condition and a fifth did not touch his drink.
Their father also gave some of the lethal cocktail to the family dog, which was also found dead that morning.
He then reportedly attempted to take his own life.
Gauteng MP Panyaza Lesufi, 53, said the boys were students at the Khanya-Lesedi Secondary School and Ratanda Primary School in the nearby township of Ratanda.
The politician said: “Four of the said pupils consumed the energy drink after arriving at school on Thursday.
“Sadly, two of the pupils died shortly afterwards, after complaining of stomach pains, while one was rushed to the nearest hospital, but died on the way.
“The fourth sibling is in a critical condition at the hospital while the fifth, fortunately, did not consume the energy drink.
“I further extend my condolences to friends, fellow pupils and teachers of the pupils, especially those who had witnessed these tragic incidents.”
Family representative Johannes Khoabane said the suspect is recovering in hospital under police guard after attempting to kill himself.
Khoabane told local media on 27th May: “The nurses that were helping us at the clinic say he apologised.
“They said he is apologising. He says he doesn’t know what he was doing.”
The family spokesman said it is still unclear why the father wanted to kill his children: “We have no idea what happened. All of us want to know what happened.
“We asked his wife and she said they had not fought. I don’t know what happened.
“The only person who knows is him. We are stuck, he must tell us why he did that.”
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said: “We will await the post-mortem results which will determine the exact cause of death.”
The investigation continues.
