Police probe deaths of two EC children as stepfather maintains his innocence

QONCE - The stepfather of two Eastern Cape children who died due to suspected poisoned food says he's innocent.

Xabiso Nyhale says he was shocked to learn that the Mnyani children fell ill after he cooked rice for them.

Investigations to determine the cause of the deaths are ongoing.

READ: EC pupils hospitalised after alleged poisoning

He says he wouldn't harm them even though they died after eating rice that he cooked.

Activist Petros Majola says it is concerning to know about the rising cases of food poisoning where many victims are young children.     

The Mnyani family says it will wait to hear from the Eastern Cape Health Department and the police to determine the cause of the children's death.

* eNCA's Ronald Masinda reports.