The mother of one of the boys who “accidentally” took the pills of a mentally ill patient told TygerBurger that through this ordeal she has learned that she has to keep a very close eye on her children.
The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous to avoid victimisation of her son, said she was in her backyard dwelling while her son was in the main house: “I was at home cleaning and my son was in the main house playing with his friends. Around 17:00, we went to my mother and when we arrived there my mother and I started noticing that something was not right with my son.
“He kept telling us he doesn’t feel well, then I asked what he ate or drank for the day. He then told us that the man (who is mentally ill) gave him tablets, but he said he only took two tablets.”
The mother said that at the time she had not known there were other children who had also taken tablets until one of them arrived at the hospital on the same day.
“I prefer not to speak on behalf of the other mothers,” she told the newspaper.
TygerBurger met with some of the other mothers, but they were reluctant to speak to the newspaper.
Tygerberg Hospital spokesperson, Laticia Pienaar, confirmed that the children were admitted last week.
“The five children you are referring to were all discharged in a stable condition. Due to patient confidentiality we are unable to divulge any further information.”
In response to an enquiry, provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, said a case was registered at Ravensmead Police Station. “A case of assault to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) was opened at Ravensmead Police Station after an incident that occurred on Monday 19 November at Charles Grodes Crescent where five children drank unknown tablets which they received from the suspect. The investigation is ongoing and no-one has been arrested.”
