Durban - Questions have emerged about the pesticide allegedly used to fumigate a Musgrave flat after a couple in a neighbouring flat were found dead on Wednesday.
While it is suspected that the fumigation may have led to the couple’s death, the cause of death still has to be established.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said inquest dockets were opened at Berea SAPS.
“A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.”
It emerged yesterday that the chemical allegedly used to fumigate the flat was prohibited for residential use. This is according to information provided by the Pest Control Federation of South Africa (PCFSA).
Netcare 911 said its paramedics responded to a suspected chemical exposure at a flat on Currie Road in Musgrave on Wednesday morning.
Its spokesperson, Shawn Herbst, said reports revealed that a family member, who couldn’t reach the couple on the phone, went to their home and found them unresponsive.
“On scene were the eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, SAPS Explosives Unit and Berea SAPS. It was established that an adjoining vacant flat had been fumigated using a white, powder-like substance,” Herbst said.
He added that after the assessment, both patients, aged 34 and 35, were declared deceased on scene.
PCFSA vice-president Moses Chetty said according to information he had received, it was alleged that “organophosphates” (chlorpyrifos) had been used for the fumigation, a chemical which should not be used as a pest control chemical in homes.
“This chemical is very dangerous and should only be used outdoors or in isolated buildings, not a residential block with neighbours on either side,” Chetty said, adding that evacuation for this kind of chemical use should be up to seven days.
He added that the use of chlorpyrifos was banned in 2010 for residential use but it was still allowed to be used for pest control in the agricultural sector.
The supervisor of the block said out of respect for the family, they were not going to release a statement.
She said the couple were loved by all.
In response to a request for comment, the eThekwini Municipality said permission did not have to be granted by it to fumigate any private premises.
“However it is incumbent upon the owner of the property or body corporate to ensure the company engaged to do the fumigation is compliant with the appropriate registration in terms of Act 36 of 1947 which governs the approval of pesticides that can be used, the processes for applying and training requirements for the person applying the pesticide.
“Further to this the company must comply with the municipality’s schedule trade by-laws in terms of registration.”