30 December 2021
Vimbayi Mahachi
A bid to preserve maize from being destroyed by pests turned fatal as three children suffocated and died from the fumes of a pesticide.
The three children, from Jowa village in Inyathi, suffocated to death in their sleep on Christmas day from pesticide fumes that had been sprayed on maize that was in the next room.
Police confirmed that the three girls aged seven, one and five years died in their sleep whilst their parents aged 42 and 27 escaped death by a whisker.
Circumstances leading to the death of juveniles are that their parents applied Aluminium Phosphide 560TB fumigation tablets on their shelled maize, and the maize was stored in a storeroom next to the children’s bedroom and went to bed.
Unfortunately, the children inhaled the chemical whilst in their sleep, leading to their death.
During the same night, police say the children’s parents developed some breathing complications and woke to check on their children only to discover that they had already died.
The victim’s parents later received medical attention from the assistance of neighbours.
Research has shown that Aluminum Phosphide can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing coughing, wheezing and or shortness of breath. Repeated exposure may damage the lungs, kidneys and liver.
In another story the ZRP is investigating a case of an infant who was dumped by a yet to be identified woman at Nkulumane Complex, Bulawayo on Monday the 27 December 2021.
The woman left the child in the custody of a good Samaritan who had agreed to take care of her while the claimed to be going to relieve herself.
The police statement said the baby girl whom is approximately 3 months old.
The woman also left a small box which had the baby’s clothes.
The 46 year old Good Samaritan whose name was not given was left stranded with the baby.
Police are appealing for any information that can lead to the arrest of the woman.
Zim GBC News