Dutlwe family in trauma after two die mysteriously
Pini Bothoko - Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday November 22, 2022 06:00
The Tlhwaafalo family in Dutlwe village are still struggling to come to terms with what could have led to the death of two and four others escaping their doom by a whisker.
The tragedy befell the family after all affected drank tea suspected to have been prepared with poisoned water on Tuesday.
Quizzed on Friday by The Monitor about what transpired, the uncle, Ali Sedibelo said on Tuesday morning he received a phone call from his cousin Gabaoboife Tlhwaafalo informing him about a tragedy that has befallen their family.
Sedibelo said after receiving the bad news he rushed to his aunt’s place and on arrival he found his niece, Gakeitshege Montshosi, 62, sweating and vomiting with foam coming out of her mouth.
“She was weak and couldn’t stand on her own. I immediately rushed her to our local clinic but sadly there was no ambulance to transport her to Scottish Livingstone Hospital in Molepolole or to a clinic with better services either in Takatokwane or Letlhakeng.
While still waiting for help, Gabaoboife also started experiencing similar symptoms confirming to have consumed the same tea that Gakeitshege had left in a kettle next to the fire.
As I was in total panic their younger sister, Solofelang Tlhwaafalo also came to the clinic showing similar symptoms. She also confirmed to have had the same tea,” Sedibelo said. Sedibelo further blamed government for failing to equip their clinic with an ambulance stating that if his family members could have been rushed to the clinic on time and Gakeitshege’s life could have been saved.
“We waited for an ambulance from 8am until we got assistance from people who were driving to Molepolole from Hukuntshi at around 1pm. We waited for almost five hours before the victims could be transported to Scottish Livingstone Hospital in Molepolole. A few minutes after arriving at the hospital Gakeitshege passed on. She could have survived if we could have not waited for an ambulance for hours,” he said.
Further narrating what transpired, Sedibelo said on the fateful morning Gakeitshege allegedly prepared tea, consumed it and left for work, but collapsed on the way. Afterwards the other family members consumed the same tea and experienced the same symptoms and were also hospitalised.
“That day they were attended to at the hospital and Gababoife was later discharged while Solofelang was hospitalised until she was discharged two days on Thursday. We reported the matter to the police and disclosed to them that we suspect they might have consumed tea that was prepared with poisoned water. They (police) came and emptied the water containers,” he said.
He further stated that sadly on Wednesday morning, the other family members who had gathered at the victims’ yard used the same containers to fetch water from their neighbours as always and Gabaoboife who was recuperating used the same water to drink his tablets only to get sick again. He was rushed to the hospital with one of the villagers who had come to offer support to the family. While Gabaoboife is still fighting for his life at the hospital, the villager did not make it and became the second victim.
“Some of the mourners drank the water, and later showed similar symptoms and were rushed to the hospital together with Gabaoboife who is currently fighting for his life at Bokamoso Private Hospital together with another mourner. Luckily two others who were hospitalised at Scottish Livingstone Hospital were discharged last Thursday. That Wednesday we told the police that we suspect water containers might have been poisoned and they took them, but until today they have not yet updated us about the case ,” he said.
Asked what they suspect might have happened, the family members who had gathered in numbers and formed part of the interview all said they suspect Solofelang’s boyfriend.
Mothobogi Tlhwaafalo, Solofelang’s other older brother residing elsewhere said on Wednesday their older brother, Gabaoboife who is still hospitalised disclosed to him that he suspected Solofelang’s boyfriend too because he once told him that he will burn his house or poison him.
“These people have been having disputes, even my elder sister (Gakeitshege) once told me that she is not in good terms with Solofelang’s boyfriend. I think he is behind all this because despite having been cohabiting with my sister for years he disappeared that fateful day and never returned home nor visited my sister at the hospital, not even to come here while we are mourning,” Mothobogi said.
Asked if they have disclosed their suspicions to the police the family said they have not done so because they thought it was the police’s duty to investigate the matter further.
Reached for comment, Takatokwane Police Station commander, Superintendent Lesego Godiramang confirmed that they are investigating the matter.
“We do not know what really transpired or what could have caused their deaths. However, investigations into the matter are ongoing while we are also waiting for the doctor’s report,” Godiramang said.
The family has not set a burial date as they are awaiting finalisation of the police investigations.