Girl (5) dies after drinking ‘poisoned’ homemade mageu
Ritlhavile (5) and 28 women from the same village suffered poisoning after drinking a homemade mageu during a passing out parade at an initiation school.
LIMPOPO – The Principal of Nyeleti Crèche in Gumbani village, Daphne Nkomondo described the late Ritlhavile Novela (5) during an emotional funeral this weekend, as a smiling young girl who obeyed orders from teachers.
Ritlhavile (5) and 28 women from the village, near Phaphazela outside Malamulele in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality suffered poisoning after drinking a homemade mageu during a passing out parade at an initiation school.
Twenty of the women had been discharged, while seven others are still fighting for their lives.
Children from the crèche and members of the community joined her family in paying their last respects, during her burial in Gumbani on Saturday.
A family member who wanted to remain anonymous, said the family was saddened by Ritlhavile’s untimely passing.
Mike Masuluke of Living Memories Funeral Services said he decided to assist the family after hearing the news on the radio, “we wanted to help the family to bury their beloved child with dignity.
Local chief, Hosi Mukhomi Chauke of the Mukhomi Royal Council said he was saddened by the incident.
“As the traditional leadership we are saddened and we call upon people to stop such senseless acts in the name of initiation.
“We cannot continue to lose our community members in this way, especially children.”
The traditional leader of Gumbani-Khathisa, Headman Magezi Baloyi added that people found to be guilty of “killing innocent people” would be chased out of the village.
