Zimpapers Logo

Lumbidzani Dima, Chronicle Reporter
THREE minor girls from Jowa Village in Inyati, Bubi District, died in their sleep, while their parents escaped death by a whisker on Christmas Day after inhaling a deadly pesticide.

In a tweet, police confirmed the incident, saying the victims aged one, five and seven, died after their parents applied a pesticide in the house.

“The parents applied aluminium phosphide 560TB fumigation tablets on their shelled maize, stored the maize in a storeroom next to their bedroom and went to bed,” said the police

Aluminium phosphide is a fumigant pesticide in the form of a tablet for the control of pests in stored grain, seed, tobacco, and storage facilities. It can also be used to control porcupines, moles, gerbils, and other rodents.

Police said the three siblings died in their sleep while their parents, aged 42 and 27 escaped death.

The parents were alarmed by health complications they endured and went to check on their children, whom they found already dead.

“During the night, the victims’ parents developed some health complications and when they checked on their children, they discovered that they had already died. The victims’ parents later received medical attention with the assistance of neighbours,” said the police.

The police urged members of the public to be cautious when using pesticides as they are harmful.
The country recorded a number of deaths on Christmas Day in various circumstances that could have been avoided had caution been exercised.

Three people were murdered in Matabeleland South Province, with one being stabbed in the lower abdomen, the other being struck on the head with a log and the another one axed in the head.