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‘OUR PEOPLE ARE DYING, HELP!’

18/01/2021 00:16:00 BY SIBUSISO SHANGE

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’MBABANE - Inyandzaleyo!

This is what residents of KaLuhleko are saying following the increasing number of people who have been dying due to COVID-19 related illnesses.

Inyandzaleyo is a siSwati way of crying out for help. KaLuhleko is an area situated a few metres from Bhunya. It is divided into zones.

According to the residents, five to 10 people, who died of COVID-19-related illnesses, were buried every week, that is from Monday to Sunday.

They said the last burial was yesterday, yet there was another reported COVID-19-related death.

The residents suspected that the virus was spread due to the manner in which they conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families.

EmaSwati convey their condolences through gathering at the bereaved homestead. This process is known as kulila. Some people join the bereaved family in the mourning house pending burial and this is known as kufukama.

Practices

Worth noting is that the Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, has warned the nation against practices such as kufukama during the pandemic. Masuku shared the same sentiments with Manzini Regional Administrator Chief Gija, who warned emaSwati against such practices during the first wave of the virus.

The residents also suspected that the virus was spread through their conduct. “The affected area is very small. It comprises three zones. We are densely populated yet there are many activities taking place. There are many drinking spots and tenants who are employed at the nearby companies.

“Activities have never been affected by the partial lockdown since most people are employed by the neighbouring companies,” said concerned residents.

The residents appealed to the Ministry of Health to at least declare the place as a hot spot for COVID-19, so that it could be given the necessary attention. They believed that the situation might be better if the ministry was to consider mass testing for all the residents.

Bucopho of the area Muzi Maseko confirmed knowledge of the matter. He stated that he personally engaged the Ministry of Health over the issue.

“The ministry advised me to collect data of all people who died of COVID-19-related illnesses. They told me to also collect data of all relatives of people who died from COVID-19 related illnesses,” he said.

However, Maseko stated that the door-to-door visits were dangerous as he was likely to contract or spread the virus. “We have seen government initiating testing centres around the capital city. We wish such an initiative could also come to us so that the virus could be detected early and managed as early as possible” Maseko said.

He said the unfortunate thing was that innocent people, who hardly travelled, were the ones who died from the virus. Maseko stated the nearest police had been made aware of the matter.

When informed about the concerns, Director of Health Services Dr Vusi Magagula said the ministry considered the data before it could declare a place a hot spot for COVID-19.

Dr Magagula said all regions were monitored through data. He said the residents of the area would receive the necessary attention based on the data.

He also mentioned that testing centres depended on resources.

“Testing centres are determined by resources and it’s a process,” he said.

Dr Magagula urged the residents of the area to adhere to the precautions which included washing of hands with clean running water and soap, sanitising, maintaining social distancing and wearing of masks.

He also warned the residents against sharing alcohol.