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A Free State mother and her sister appeared in court in Bethlehem on Friday where they are facing three charges of murder and one of attempted murder.
Thirty-one-year-old Maphephi Mokwena and her 21-year-old sister Maria allegedly poisoned their family with brown bean soup on Wednesday before they went to work and school.
The three children complained of stomach pain while attending the Utopia Farm School and were taken to hospital where two died.
Their father also feel ill while at work and died in hospital.
Police Spokesperson Captain Phumelelo Dhlamini says the mother admitted to buying a pesticide known as Temik that she used to poison the soup.
A post-mortem confirmed that food poisoning was the cause of death.
The victims were identified as 14-year-old Mamsi Portia Pamplen, 10-year-old Meikie Mokwena and 49-year-old France Pamplen.
Their 11-year-old sibling Lerato survived the incident.
Maphephi was remanded in custody till the 30 June 2022 for formal bail application while her sister was released on warning and will appear again on the same date.
