30 May 2020

Jwaneng Police Station Commander Superintendent Thuso Basuti says four children from Betesankwe settlement near Jwaneng are recuperating at Jwaneng Mine hospital after ingesting an unknown wild tuber at the settlement on May 27.

Supt Basuti indicated that the matter was reported to them the same day by their aunt, who said she had left the children all alone in the afternoon to collect the COVID-19 food relief package at a local shop.

He said the aunt noted that upon returning at around 5pm, she found the eldest of them, who is 11-years-old, vomiting heavily and upon enquiry the children informed her that they ate a tuber, which they showed to her.

A few moments later, the other three started vomiting as well and she then rushed them to Sese clinic where they were later referred to Jwaneng Mine hospital where they are currently out of danger.

Supt Basuti implored parents to always ensure that children were left with an elder person whenever they were away.

“The eldest of the children was 11 years and another was nine while the other two were just four-years-old. All these were too young to be left under no supervision for such a longtime, so we implore parents to always ensure that children are left with someone more mature and even prepare something for them to eat if they get hungry,” he said. ENDS