News / Regional
Mkwabeni villagers living in fear as pupils die from unknown causes
08 Jul 2012 at 09:42hrs | Views
Mkwabeni villagers in Filabusi are living in fear following horrible incidents where pupils perished in unclear circumstances after having severe headaches. Villagers blamed witchcraft for the deaths amid claims that before passing away complained of stomach pains and headaches just before breathing their last.
"We are worried that this might just be the beginning of the worst because we do not understand how children could die after they all complained of the same thing. The first boy was in Grade Four and he appeared fit and strong before he died. His friends said they only saw him eating rice during break time. Where he got the food from, however remains a mystery," said a villager who identified himself only as Gatsheni.
Gatcheni said before the burial of the boy, another minor from the same area died after complaining of stomach and headache pains.
"Two boys from Mkwabeni Primary School passed away within a week and while villagers were still stunned about what was happening, a Form Four student at Mkwabeni Secondary school passed away too. We suspect that there is more to what meets the eye because children cannot just die like that considering that they were all fit and strong," he added.
The villagers said post mortem should have been carried out on the deceased's bodies to ascertain the causes of the deaths before burial.
"We do not know the cause of these sudden deaths and we will keep guessing. We should have ferried to hospital for post mortem. We are Africans and the way these children are dying, we are forced to suspect Satanism or witchcraft. Many villagers are now living in fear as they do not know whose child would be the next victim," said the source.
When contacted for comment, Matabeleland South police spokesperson confirmed the deaths but did not reveal the causes of the deaths.
"We are worried that this might just be the beginning of the worst because we do not understand how children could die after they all complained of the same thing. The first boy was in Grade Four and he appeared fit and strong before he died. His friends said they only saw him eating rice during break time. Where he got the food from, however remains a mystery," said a villager who identified himself only as Gatsheni.
Gatcheni said before the burial of the boy, another minor from the same area died after complaining of stomach and headache pains.
"Two boys from Mkwabeni Primary School passed away within a week and while villagers were still stunned about what was happening, a Form Four student at Mkwabeni Secondary school passed away too. We suspect that there is more to what meets the eye because children cannot just die like that considering that they were all fit and strong," he added.
The villagers said post mortem should have been carried out on the deceased's bodies to ascertain the causes of the deaths before burial.
"We do not know the cause of these sudden deaths and we will keep guessing. We should have ferried to hospital for post mortem. We are Africans and the way these children are dying, we are forced to suspect Satanism or witchcraft. Many villagers are now living in fear as they do not know whose child would be the next victim," said the source.
When contacted for comment, Matabeleland South police spokesperson confirmed the deaths but did not reveal the causes of the deaths.
Source - News
