Family representative Johannes Khoabane said the father who allegedly gave his children energy drinks laced with poison was recovering in hospital where he has reportedly apologised for his actions. He is currently under police guard.
Rumours are that he attempted suicide after he gave the children the spiked drink.
Also read: Three learners dead after drinking energy drinks tragically given by father
The three children, Lehlogonolo Khoabane (16), Katleho Khoabane (13), and Tebogo Ngcongwane (6), died shortly after consuming the energy drinks at school. A fourth sibling is in critical condition in hospital, and a fifth fortunately didn’t have the drink.
Johannes Khoabane said on Friday that the father has apologised, according to the nurses at the clinic.
“They said he is apologising. He says he doesn’t know what he was doing,” stated Khoabane, as per News24.
It is still unclear to the family why the man 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,” said Khoabane.
Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, visited the children’s schools on Friday. He said: “What happened here is painful. I am here to get the report so I can take it to the family. These kids died in our hands.”
According to the MEC, a preliminary investigation showed that “the children’s father spiked the drink.”
Lesufi also “encouraged fellow pupils to deal with their grief and seek help”.
“You are also affected, my children. It can’t be usual that we lose three children at the same time. It can’t be usual that we’re dealing with this.
“I want you to extend these words to you: remain strong my children,” he added.
Lesufi also told the pupils to not “be scared to raise your hand and say I need help”.
Pupils and staff at the schools have been offered psycho-social support. These services were also extended to the bereaved family.
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Picture: Pexel