Police in Limpopo are investigating the deaths of two brothers, aged nine and 12, who died at a clinic after reportedly falling ill shortly after returning from playing in Makuleke Village, outside Malamulele in the Vhembe District.

The boys died on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, after their mother rushed them to a local clinic in a desperate attempt to save their lives.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the children arrived home at around 18:30, when one was crying and the other collapsed. Their mother tried to find out what was wrong, but neither boy could explain what had happened.

She arranged transport to a nearby clinic, where one of the children was declared dead on arrival. Medical personnel attempted to assist his brother, but he also died.

Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that Saselamani police had opened two inquest cases to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“It is alleged that the boys returned home from playing at around 18:30, in Makuleke Village, with one of them crying, while the other collapsed at their home. Their mother reportedly tried to establish what had happened to the children, but they were unable to talk.

“She subsequently arranged transport to a local Clinic, where one of the boys was declared dead upon arrival.

Medical personnel attended to the second child, but he also succumbed,” Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said.

The cause of the brothers’ deaths remains unknown.

Police investigations are expected to establish what happened before the children became ill and whether any factors contributed to the tragedy.