Two minors tragically die hours apart after consuming pap and salt

Two minors reportedly died just hours apart after consuming pap and salt while their mothers were still preparing dinner.

Sep 3, 2022 - 08:59
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Two minors tragically die hours apart after consuming pap and salt

The family of two minors from Orange Farm in Gauteng who reportedly died after consuming pap and salt are eagerly waiting for postmortem results to find out exactly what killed the children. 

On 23 August, the two minors aged 2 and 4, Sebabatso Lerata and Itumeleng Lerata, were reportedly okay and were playing in the yard as they normally do.

TWO MINORS DIE AFTER CONSUMING PAP

The children’s aunt Moipone Lerata from Orange Farm told Drum how random the children’s death was. 

Explaining in detail how everything unfolded, Lerata told Drum that they did what they normally do on any day and allowed the children to play in the yard.

Lerata said in the afternoon, the children came to the house to ask for food and they were still cooking, however, the pap was ready.  

“While waiting for the meat we decided to give them pap and salt just so that they could have something while waiting. Immediately after finishing food, the older one complained about having a sore tummy, and she wanted to sleep. After lying down her mother noticed that the child had too much saliva, and told the child to go spit outside,” she explained. 

minors pap and salt
A pot of pap. Image via Facebook/Ace Maize Meal.

The aunt further said when the child tried to wake up her knees were weak, and that is when they noticed that something was wrong. 

Soon after that, there was excessive saliva that started to foam. The child’s mother took her to the clinic only to be told they were late and the child was already dead. 

“While trying to process the sad news, I called home to inform them but they told me that the mother of the 2-year-old is on her way to the clinic because she is in the same state her sister was in. When they got to the clinic the child was still alive and the doctors tried to help but didn’t succeed and she also passed away,” she added 

Lerata said doctors told them that they suspect that the kids may have consumed poison, however, they are still awaiting the result of the postmortem. 

The kids were reportedly given pap with a little bit of salt and the aunt insisted it wasn’t too much because they know that no one can handle too much salt they just wanted the kids to nibble on something while waiting for the food. 

At the clinic, they said they didn’t have the answers, however, they suspect that maybe the kids may have eaten something that was poisonous.

The family believes that the two minors may have picked something up in the yard, maybe from the dustbin, and ate it but they are not yet sure.

The minors were reportedly laid to rest on Thursday.

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