Times Of Swaziland: Concoction kills 3 Jerichos at vigil

Concoction kills 3 Jerichos at vigil
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BY ANDILE NSIBANDE on 06/08/2013 03:30:00


MASHOBENI – At least three members of the Jericho Red Gown Sect in Mashobeni
died after drinking a concoction at a vigil.
Five are fighting for their lives at the Hlatikhulu Government Hospital,
according to reports last night.
Inspector Khulani Mamba, Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, confirmed the
incident.
He said: “Yes, it is true we have such an incident in our records. As a
result, three have already passed away while others are still receiving
treatment.”
The deadly drink is a mixture of water, methylated spirits, tea, milk, and other
ingredients believed to help them to get anointing from the Holy Spirit. The
family of the deceased said it was not the first time the members of the church
drank such a concoction.
Two siblings from a Hlophe family who drank the deadly concoction died on
separate incidents, after complaining of abdominal cramps, which saw them
vomiting a bloody substance, while a whitish discharge oozed from their
nostrils.
A neighbour to the Hlophes also died while undergoing treatment at the Nhlangano
Health Centre.  Among the people who drank the concoction is a 15-year-old
scholar, who is currently writhing in pain in her hospital bed.
The first person to die was Thabile Hlophe (25) who passed away at her homestead
in Mashobeni on Sunday morning, while her elder brother, Mzwandile (32), died in
the early hours of yesterday morning – at about 4 am to be precise. They were
later followed by their 25-year-old neighbour, Ayanda Mndzebele.
Frida Hlophe, mother of the deceased said two other children from the same
homestead were currently fighting for their lives in hospital.
“We are still awaiting a report on their current condition in hospital,” she
said, in between sobs. She said three other neighbours were also admitted in
hospital, in a critical condition. The neighbours, inclusive of the minor pupil
whose name will not be divulged, were identified as: Xoli Vilakati and
Mbongiseni Kunene.
Hlophe said it all started on Friday night when a local priest of the Jericho
sect invited the victims to a vigil at another church situated at Jabulani,
about a few kilometres away.
The said concoction was drunk at this particular church on Friday night.
Unconfirmed reports though are to the effect that the priest who invited his
congregants to the vigil is also sick. “We are not sure, however, if he also
went to hospital or not,” said Lungile Hlophe. Hlophe said the whole community
of Mashobeni had been shattered, following the tragedy. The incident was
reported to the police yesterday morning.
Gege police, according to the family, reported that they had transport problems
hence they only checked on them in the evening, just after 7pm.
The Hlophe family appealed to anyone who could help to assist them with anything
because they were impoverished.
“It is even difficult for us to think of how we can summon the needed
resources to cater for the funeral expenses, let alone for the ones currently in
hospital,” said the mother of the deceased duo.