The woman who allegedly left a bottle of poison-laced emahewu at an inyanga’s place after posing as a patient has been found.
After drinking the fermented maize drink, a three-year-old died while his brother (8) and mother (27) are still undergoing treatment at the Mbabane Government Hospital.
The police have confirmed that the 52-year-old Gcebile Gama is currently assisting them with information related to the tragedy.
“The Royal Eswatini Police Service expresses appreciation to the public as the person of interest has been located and is assisting Mbabane with the investigation,” reads a statement shared by the police.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Zwane said they have not made any arrests yet, nor pressed any charges against Gama.
According to the deceased’s grandfather, Mandla Dlamini, who is a healer, a woman unknown to him arrived at his home on Thursday and requested his services just like ordinary patients would do.
He said he welcomed the woman and allowed her to consult.
“She complained about pain in the lower back just around the waist. As we spoke she revealed that she had not brought money with her,” he said.
Dlamini said the woman requested to leave so that she could fetch the money from a certain place she did not mention.
“Before she left she offered me a one-litre container with emahewu and said I should drink. I turned down the offer because I was not in a position to take emahewu, but the woman insisted that I take just a little,” he said.
He said he reluctantly accepted the offer as he was considering giving it to his grandchildren.
Nontethelelo, the mother of the two children, said her father gave them emahewu, which they drank instantly.
“Within 30 minutes I got numb and felt dizzy. My whole body started swelling and immediately I had a blurred vision,” she said.
Speaking from her hospital bed at the Mbabane Government Hospital on Friday, Nontethelelo said she also realised that her children were sick.
She said she was not aware who could be behind this and what the motive could be.
“I am only aware that the poison was intended for my father because the said woman had asked him to drink,” she said.
When asked about any suspicions, Dlamini was quick to mention the family he believes was in collusion with the woman.
