Four children, aged between three and six, of Kanana extension in Rabie Ridge, Midrand, died after they allegedly consumed food mixed with rat poison. The food was reportedly meant to trap rats.

The kids were apparently playing unattended when they started to get stomach complications before community members rushed them to nearby Rabie Ridge Clinic. A neighbour who did not want to be named told ZiMoja that the eldest of the four kids told them that their mother had left the other kids in her care when she went out. "The child said that they ate food they found in the house and minutes later, they started feeling sick. I heard one for them screaming and crying calling for help and I decided to go check on them and found the poor kids rolling on the floor complaining of stomach pains. It was clear that they were in pain and there was nothing we could do to assist except to rush them to a nearby clinic without their parents," the neighbour said.

Three of the kids were declared dead on arrival at the clinic while the fourth was taken to Tembisa hospital where she also passed away. Another neighbour said the parents must account for their death. "This was pure negligence; how can they set a trap for rats and leave the kids alone. If they didn't neglect their responsibility, these kids would still be alive today," the neighbour said. Gauteng police spokesperson, Captain Mavela Masondo, confirmed the incident. "The police are investigating four inquest dockets after four children died on Wednesday afternoon. It is alleged that the children were playing in the yard when they got sick. They were rushed to clinic where they died in a short space of time. No one is suspected at this moment," he said.