JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng Province has launched an investigation into the tragedy of five children who died in Naledi, Soweto, on Sunday after eating allegedly poisoned food.
Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, Gauteng Police Spokesperson, told Xinhua over the phone on Tuesday that an inquest has been opened, and the circumstances that led to the deaths are unknown at this stage as they are waiting for the post-mortem results.
According to community members in Naledi, the five children, aged between six and nine, died at local clinics on Sunday after eating "snacks" from a local tuck shop in Johannesburg's western township of Soweto.
The children were said to have been foaming at the mouth and vomiting after eating snacks bought at the tuck shop. They all died within minutes of each other, some arriving at local clinics.
Nevhuhulwi said the cause of the children's deaths remains unclear, but post-mortem results will reveal the answer.
Panyaza Lesufi, premier of Gauteng Province, visited the home of one of the deceased with other senior government officials on Tuesday afternoon.
The community members of Naledi were angry over the deaths of the children, and some tuck shop owners, mostly foreigners, were seen packing their goods and leaving the community on Tuesday afternoon after receiving threats.
Police said they will maintain a visible presence in the community to ensure safety.
