Cape Town – A 31-year-old woman Maphephi Alinah Mokwena, and her accomplice Mantwa Maria Mokwena, 21, appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrate Court on Friday, following the death of her two children, aged 10 and 14, and their father.
In a statement, police spokesperson Phumelelo Dhlamini said the three died after they ate brown bean soup that was laced with poison.
“On Wednesday morning, 22 June 2022, the deceased were served brown bean soup by Maria Mokwena before they went to school and work.
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“The children complained of stomach pain at school and were taken to hospital where they lost their lives. Their father also fell ill while at work and was taken to hospital where he also passed away,” Dhlamini said.
A post-mortem revealed that the cause of the death was poisoning.
“During further investigation, the mother of the children admitted that she bought poison called Temik to poison the soup. She was arrested and detained at Bethlehem police station,” said Dhlamini.
Maphephi was remanded in custody till the June 30 for formal bail application, while Mantwa was released on warning and was set to appear again in court.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
