Cops await forensic results on Dutlwe poisoning

LUCKY TO BE ALIVE: Gababoife survived the suspected poisoning

Police are still waiting for postmortem results on the recent suspected poisoning incident that claimed the lives of two people at Dutlwe village.

The two villagers, Gakeitshege Montshosi and Gagomphegetse Puleng were laid to rest on November 23rd and November 25th respectively while four survivors were discharged from Scottish Livingstone Hospital on November 21st.

While Dutlwe villagers believe the incident was caused tea that was prepared with poisoned water, Takatokwane Police Station Commander Superintendent Lesego Godiramang said the forensic lab and the doctor’s post-mortem report would determine the course of their investigations.

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“We cannot say its poisoning when we haven’t received a doctor’s report, the doctor is the only one who can confirm and the results will determine if there is any foul play. As for now nobody has been arrested and investigations are still ongoing,” explained the top cop.

The Voice team recently visited Dutlwe village and spoke to two of the survivors, 59-year-old Gababoife Tlhwaafalo and his sister Solofelang Tlhwaafalo aged 46.

Briefly narrating the details Gababoife revealed that on November 14th he went to fetch some water from his neighbours to prepare food.

Three of the family members, Gababoife and Montshosi together with her grandson ate the food and slept. The following day they prepared tea using the same water that remained in the bucket.

“Later when I was home Solofelang’s boyfriend- Gobonyeone Kgogwane screamed for help as Gakeitshoge had collapsed and at first I just ignored thinking it was her usual illness. People assisted to carry her home and laid her on a blanket. Then I took my tea  and while drinking I noticed the unusual taste and I spilled the rest on the ground,” explained Gababoife.

To his surprise when he tried to stand up he felt dizzy and sweating. He then requested Solofelang to bring the medical card to go to the clinic as he felt weak. “People assisted lifting me up and took me to the clinic where I was given charcoal and I got a little bit better. While at the clinic the police advised that the water be collected from home for investigations. When we examined the small remaining water on the bucket it was foaming and the police took the container together with the remaining tea,” added Gababoife.

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Since the other containers of water had been left at a neighbors yard, the following morning they were collected and the water was used to prepare tea.

Gababoife who used the water to consume the pills he was given at the clinic became sick again and when Puleng and others also fell sick with similar symptoms they were also taken to Bokamoso Hospital.

As the incident remains a subject of police investigation, accusing fingers have been pointed at Gobonyeone Kgogwane who some family members say, displayed unusual behavior. “I’m the only one who usually wakes up first in the family followed by the deceased but on the fateful day Kgogwane woke up first,” revealed Gababoife.

When asked for comment, Kgogwane who disclosed that he is a traditional healer confirmed that he was taken for questioning by the police who also advised him to stay away from the Tlhwaafalo family.

“I don’t drink tea, I only drink beer. I do not deny that I used water from a different container to brush my teeth. They know very well that I normally do that. I don’t know anything. I even told the police, I am so hurt don’t ask me anything anymore,” he quipped.

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Police investigations into the incident continue.

WORRIED: Dutlwe residents
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