Teacher dies after drinking an overdose of stomach relief concoction

A 44-YEAR-OLD teacher from Ndolwane Primary School in Bulilima District died after drinking an overdose of a concoction in a bid to relieve himself of stomach pains. Teachers at the school identified the deceased as Clever Biza who was a Grade 5 teacher at the school.

The incident occurred on Friday around 10am at the school's cottages. Biza, who had been referred to Plumtree District Hospital, died at Ndolwane Clinic while waiting to be transported to the hospital.

A neighbour to the deceased who is also his colleague said Biza had recently complained of stomach pains over the past three weeks.

"Biza had been continuously complaining of stomach pains and these pains seemed to be worsening by the day. On the morning he died he took an aloe plant and mixed it with water and he drank the concoction in a bid to relieve himself of the stomach pains.

"However, he became worse after drinking the concoction and started vomiting," she said.

Another teacher at the school said Biza was already in a critical state when he was transported to the clinic.

"I was alerted by Biza's neighbour who told me to assist her to get him to the clinic. When I reached him he was wriggling on the ground and froth was coming out of his mouth. He was struggling to breath and we managed to get him to the clinic which is a few metres away in a wheelbarrow. At the clinic he was referred to Plumtree District Hospital but he died while still at the clinic as the ambulance delayed," said the teacher.

He said Biza's body had been ferried to Masvingo which was his home area for burial.

When contacted for comment, Acting Police Spokesperson for Matabeleland South Province, Sergeant Nkosilathi Sibanda said he could not comment as he had not received a report on the incident.