Another death owing to family's strange belief

Zodwa Matsebula died on Monday, and was hurriedly buried on Wednesday at Mphondle area.

Matsebula, according to her mother, was on anti-retroviral treatment, which she quit when she came back home on November 16, 2008 because of the family’s strange religious beliefs.

Matsebula told her parents that she didn’t want to take her treatment, backed by the family’s strong but strange belief that seeking medical attention was against the will of God.

"I took the tablets and threw them away," said the mother, Allita Matsebula.

The family, speaking to the Swazi News, said the deceased had her own belief, and they don’t force their family to abstain from seeking medical attention. When she came back home, she was very ill. She had been staying in Matsapha all along. She was taking anti-retroviral treatment when she came back home," Matsebula said.

"However, when she came back here she told me she would no longer take her treatment. So I threw the medication away, not because I forced her but because she had made her choice. I didn’t make a choice for her," she added.

Matsebula’s response is similar to the one she gave when 8-year-old Silindile Mncina died a week ago. When the Swazi News asked her about the death of the minor, she responded by saying the Grade Three pupil chose not to seek medical help, a response that has left the local umphakatsi of Ludlawini in total dismay at the events at the Matsebula homestead.

The strange religious belief has shocked residents of Mphondle.

Matsebula and her family worship at the Go Out Ministries, a church at Mphondle area.

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