50 MOURNERS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR SUSPECTED FOOD POISONING
SITEKI – About 50 mourners were, over the weekend, taken to different health centres after suspected poisoning of food, emahewu and water, which was served at a funeral.
The incident happened over the weekend in an area called Nyetane at Mpolonjeni in Siteki.
There were reportedly at least 100 people who were served food and emahewu, according to sources at the funeral.
It was gathered that a pastor and others suffered severe stomach aches after attending the funeral of Busisiwe Mamba, who was a family member by marriage.
It was stated that on the day of the incident, mourners were served food before the vigil service commenced. The service commenced after the food was served and upon finishing, some stayed over while others left.
It was stated that at around 11pm, one elderly woman started vomiting and experienced diarrhoea and while she was being attended to, another complained of a stomach ache.
stated
It was stated that a few moment later, more people started complaining of same.
There are different versions of what might have happened but the family is pointing fingers at a certain faction within the family.
It was gathered that there is currently a brewing war in the family following the incident.
The source stated that many community members had stomach aches in the area such that even yesterday, some people were still being taken to hospital as their situation was getting worse.
establish
“The family could not establish what may have caused the mourners to fall sick. It could have been the food or water,” narrated the source.
It was reliably gathered that there were some people who drank emahewu only but still complained of stomach pains.
A group of men who had come to deliver wood and requested drinking water were also taken to hospital for stomach aches among those who were served actual food.
They were rushed to Good Shepherd Mission Hospital and Mahhunga Clinic in that area.
An 82-year-old elderly woman, Mamba, when called by this reporter said she was in pain.
She stated that she actually drank both emahewu, water and ate food as she was there the whole week (afukeme) until the day of the incident.
ferried
She said she was taken to hospital along with others who were sick and were ferried in four vans.
“We got there and found the pastor was also there to seek medical attention,” narrated Mamba.
A family member who did not want to be identified stated that the family was in shock over the incident.
“It seems like someone intentionally did this and we have a suspect in mind,” he alleged.
proven
Some of the allegations made by the family member will not be repeated as they could not be proven.
It was stated that the food was cooked, locked in a room and served in the morning.
“Some mourners left after the burial while others who had left their items at home opted not to eat,” remarked the family member.
The family member further stated that they would report the matter to the chief today, while adding that there was another case pending at the chiefdom.
When the suspected family members were called, one’s phone rang unanswered while the other dropped the phone as soon as the reporter introduced herself.
When reached for comment, Chief Executive Officer at Good Shepherd Mission Hospital Muzi Dlamini confirmed the incident.
complaining
He stated that he received a report of 20 people who were attended to in the hospital after complaining of stomach pains.
“The report I got from the doctor suggests that it was food poisoning,” he said.
It is worth noting that food poisoning, also called food borne illness, is caused by eating contaminated food. Infectious organisms including bacteria, viruses and parasites or their toxins, are the most common causes of food poisoning.
contaminate
According to mayoclinic.com, infectious organisms or their toxins can contaminate food at any point of processing or production. Contamination can also occur at home if food is incorrectly handled or cooked.
Food poisoning symptoms, which can start within hours of eating contaminated food, often include nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. Most often, food poisoning is mild and resolves without treatment. But some people need to go to hospital.
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COLANI VILAKATI
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19/05/2016 07:25:09
maphalala george
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17/05/2016 10:36:53
Xolani Simphiwe Mkhatshwa
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17/05/2016 10:22:56
Xolani Simphiwe Mkhatshwa
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17/05/2016 10:09:04
Concerned woman
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17/05/2016 10:08:05
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