UPDATE: Sixth child who ate snacks from Naledi spaza shops still in ICU
EWN previously received reports that Katleho Olifant had passed away, but the Gauteng Department of Education has since confirmed he remains in a critical condition.
Inside the spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto, where five children allegedly bought snacks and later died. Photo: Jacques Nelles/ Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - A sixth child from Naledi in Soweto remains in ICU in hospital.
Seven-year-old Katleho Olifant is the only survivor from a group of five other children who died on Sunday after allegedly consuming chips from two spaza shops on Thlathlane Street in Naledi.
The community suspects the chips had traces of rat poison.
Authorities are hopeful the boy will pull through to provide answers about the children's movements on the day and what they may have consumed.
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EWN previously received reports that Olifant had passed away from a councillor in the area, after information circulated on a family WhatsApp group.
However, the Gauteng Department of Education has since confirmed he remains in a critical condition.
"The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) wishes to confirm that the Grade 1 boy learner from Karabo Primary School who was admitted to a local medical facility following the recent food poisoning incident in Soweto remains alive and is still in ICU," department spokesperson Steve Mabona said in a statement.
"We continue to hold him in our thoughts and prayers as he fights for his recovery. The GDE will continue to monitor the condition of the learner in ICU and provide necessary updates as they become available."