MIDDELBURG – A distressed mother is convinced that exhumation is the only way to determine the true cause of her son’s death.
Her son, Steven Phatlane, a grade four learner at Zikhuphule Primary School in Mhluzi, passed away on 1 February 2022 under suspected circumstances of food poisoning, allegedly after consuming a cookie from a fellow learner during school hours.
Upon returning home from school, Steven complained of a headache and later experienced stomach pains before vomiting. He tragically passed away in hospital later that night at the tender age of 10.
“I have made the decision to exhume my son’s body to confirm what is now believed to have caused his death,” stated Yvonne Phatlane, the mother.
Yvonne informed the Highveld Chronicle that recent information from an undisclosed source, for their protection, suggests that her son may have succumbed to poisoned food from the school’s feeding scheme.
“The source mentioned in my presence, before a group of other women selling food at the school, that my son was fatally affected by food prepared in the school’s kitchen,” Yvonne recounted.
“I plan to first file a murder case with the police before seeking a court order to exhume the body, which will then be sent to forensic experts to ascertain if the school is indeed accountable for my son’s passing.”
Another woman, whose identity remains confidential, corroborated the undisclosed source’s account, confirming that Yvonne’s son fell victim to the food served at the school. “Yes, she told us that,” the woman affirmed. “She also mentioned that she was instructed by the school to keep it under wraps.”
A member of the school governing body refuted the claims of the school’s involvement in Steven’s demise. “This is the first we’ve heard of it, and I don’t believe it’s true,” stated the member, who requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the media. “We are aware of the learner’s passing, but the cause remains unknown.”
