A FIVE-year-old East London boy died and his 40-year-old mother was critically ill after they apparently ate a poisonous plant with their lunch on Saturday, Eastern Cape police said on Sunday. Inspector John Fobian, of the police’s disaster management team, said Riando Mashabalala, 5, and his mother Yoliswa from Needs Camp had picked what they believed were marog (spinach) leaves to have with their lunch. The boy died at about 2pm after eating the leaves while his mother became ill. The 40-year-old was taken to Frere Hospital for treatment. An inquest was launched and samples of the food were taken for analysis.