The Acting Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Tshonono Buyeye has sent his deepest condolences on behalf of the Metro following the death of four children who died after eating food from a rubbish dump in Motherwell.
He says as soon as they heard about the incident, Environmental Health officials went to the scene to work with the South African Police.
Buyeye says this is now a police matter.
The four children, who were two sets of siblings, died after consuming a toxic substance at a dumping site in Unit 30 in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth.
Police spokesperson, Captain Andre' Beetge, said that a seven-year-old child survived.
He said staff at the Motherwell Health Centre had alerted police to the incident early on Sunday evening.
Police are now waiting for the results of the post mortem examinations.
The victims were identified as the 3-year-old Alunamda Mqawu and his 10-year-old sister Zintle as well as five-year-old Alizwa Rhwayibana and his 11-year-old sister Asive.
An inquest docket has been opened.
