The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
TRAGEDY struck an orphanage in Rusape on Sunday when two toddlers died after inhaling the poisonous termite spray while three others were hospitalised.
The incident happened at Scared Heart Orphanage that is run by Carmelites Sisters under the Roman Catholic.
The home, which is in the central business district (CBD), hired a person to spray termites that had infested the building.
However, safety and precautionary measures that should be strictly adhered to were not followed by both the hired person and the institution, leading to the disaster.
Stakeholders in the child protection sector want the contracted person and authorities at the home to be charged with criminal negligence and culpable homicide.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said no arrests have been made as investigations were still underway.
He warned members of the public to always be alert when dealing with poisonous substances.
“On December 7, 2019 Rostina Nyakutsipa (56), who is the sister-in-charge at Scared Heart Orphanage, hired Peter Chiroodza (61) to spray the aluminum phosphate termite poison. Chiroodza sprayed outside the building and in one of the rooms where children aged five, nine, and two were sleeping. They were infected by inhaling that poison and were rushed to Rusape General Hospital, where two of them died upon admission. The other three are still admitted at the hospital and their condition is critical. Investigations are underway and it is where it is determined whether an offence was committed. We urge people to use chemicals wisely and engage experts in handling delicate assignments,” said Insp Kakohwa.
