A religious pilgrimage to pray at the top of Baratani Hill in Otse at midnight ended in tragedy for a 56-year-old man last Friday, when he collapsed and died half-way up the hill.
According to Woodhall Police Station Commander, Daniel Katse, the deceased was accompanied by four others and a traditional healer, who was to assist them with prayers.
“During the climb, the man collapsed before they reached the place where the prayer was to be conducted. He was later taken to Otse Clinic and then Bamalete Lutheran Hospital where he was certified dead,” revealed the Superintendent.
It is reported the man, a Ramotswa native living in Mothubakwane ward, was unwell and had sought out the traditional dealer for help.
His companions tried their best to save him but it takes roughly two hours to reach the hill’s summit and at the point he passed-out they were already approaching the top.
Carrying him back down in the dark proved tricky and by the time they reached the bottom and organised help it was already too late.
“The deceased is still at the hospital mortuary as the police are awaiting response from the family, who are still having discussions on whether they should conduct a post-mortem or not. Some suggest post-mortem while others feel it’s a natural death,” said Katse.
The top cop advised those suffering from ill health to be careful how and where they seek medical help.
