Everson Luhanga
Police have confirmed that five people have died and dozens of others have been rushed to hospital after eating food suspected to be poisoned at a funeral in central Kagiso.
The pastor who preached and rendered a word of comfort to the bereaved family was among the five people who died from the poisoning.
A witness told Scrolla.Africa that the event descended into chaos and panic as entire crowds fell ill at once.
The funeral was said to have begun peacefully, as the deceased’s loved ones gathered at their grave to pay their respects.
At around 11 a.m., the guests left the graveyard and travelled to the funeral reception in central Kagiso to enjoy a meal together.
One guest who didn’t want to be named said that merely minutes after people sat down to eat the food, some of the guests began to complain about stomach pains.
“Some started vomiting, foaming, and sweating,” he said.
“It was an unpleasant scene where people scrambled to use the toilet as one could see others rolling on the ground in agony,” he said.
In a statement released by pastor Dr Joe Lister Mabuela, he said his wife who was with him at the funeral, has been in hospital for two days and is responding well to treatment.
Dr Mabuela said Leratong hospital received upwards of 40 patients who had come from the funeral.
“Other hospitals also received patients from that funeral,” he said.
He went on to say that the source of the infection hasn’t been established yet. Doctors will rely on lab results from stool and blood collected from patients.
“Should the findings point to foul play, the law entities shall be involved.”
Dr Mabuela said the pastor who died from the poisoning will be buried on Saturday with the funeral proceedings starting from 08:30am at the Faith Community Sanctuary Church.
Kagiso police spokesperson Captain Solomon Sibiya said police are investigating an inquest after five people died.
He also said many people were rushed to different hospitals where they have been receiving treatment.
Image source: TheDailyMirror
