Police ban indayela at Mashobeni

Survivors of the deadly indayela at the Mabuza homestead. On the far right is Philile Mabuza while far left is Sibusiso Vilakati and children at the homestead.

MASHOBENI – The police have banned the consumption of a popular concoction believed to have supernatural powers to cleanse its consumers following the death of three church members at Mashobeni.

The concoction known as indayela is said to be responsible for the death of three church members of the Jericho sect who indulged themselves during a vigil. Over 10 others were admitted to hospital and are currently recuperating.
Church members said the police who were investigating the issue ordered them to stop its consumption forthwith. Philile Mabuza, who is one of the survivors, said she had no objection to the police’s directive.

This despite that since it was introduced in her church, over five years ago, she has been consuming it consistently. “Even before the police issued the directive I had already resolved never to touch it again. I don’t want to die,” she said.
Her cousin Sibusiso Vilakati, who also survived, said he had not just resolved to stop drinking the concoction, but all warm water.
“Warm water, apart from tea, seems like the concoction, in my mind. I don’t want it anymore.”

The people of Mashobeni said the concoction helped them in vigils to stay awake and militant throughout. “It also acts as a laxative.
“At times it also makes one vomit,” said Vilakati.
Several homes at Mashobeni, especially those affiliated to the Jericho and Zionist sect prepare the concoction themselves and use it occasionally. Its ingredients are boiling water, extra strong sweets, coca cola, milk and Joko tea.

Members of the Hlophe family also attested to that saying they used the indayela regularly.
Two survivors, Bongiwe Mabuza and Zanele Hlophe also swore they would never drink it again.
Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Inspector Khulani Mamba said the ban was only temporary, and was designed to make way for police investigations.

“At this time we want to determine the cause of the deaths by investigating the indayela that was used. We are scrutinising the ingredients that were used to form it too,” he said.

Getting high on indayela

MASHOBENI – Some Christians who consumed the deadly indayela say they were high on it before developing symptoms of sickness.

Sibusiso Vilakati said he was walking home with a fellow church members when he suddenly had visions of his colleagues walking on air. “I asked him why he was now walking on air and he said he was also seeing me walking into an ally and coming out again. All this was happening while we were along a pathway walking home.”

Vilakati said when he reached home his view of the world had changed as he saw things moving in circles.
“People and everything were just moving in circles and I did not know what was happening,” he said. Vilakati was, thereafter, admitted to the Hlatikhulu Government Hospital where he was treated for a few days and discharged.

Meanwhile, the Christians who were affected by the concoction may have also overdosed themselves. Philile Mabuza, one of the survivors, said when they went to fetch two fellow believers from a Hlophe homestead, they found them already carrying their own 20 litres of the concoction.

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