Kwa-Thema – The Mahabuke family is heartbroken after the untimely death of their 17-year-old son, Tshepo Mahabuke.
Tshepo was hospitalised on August 5 after consuming food allegedly poisoned by another relative. Tshiamo Modubu, the second-born brother, described the horrific night when Tshepo cried for help during the midnight hours.
“You could see that he was in pain and his mouth filled with foam,” he said.
Modubu recalled the events, saying the family was happy and singing in the afternoon when the accused family member caused disruption.
“He is someone who always disturbs our peace and provokes us almost every day. Tshepo would always defend our mother against him and that aggravated him even more.”
Modubu stated an argument ensued between Tshepo and the accused family member in which he made threats to the young boy.
Later that day, as the family was having supper, Tshepo reportedly alerted his family that his plate contained a substance that looked like poison.
“We did not think much of it and assured him he was seeing crumbs from the food,” Modubu explained.
Later that night, when Tshepo cried for help, the family realised what the young boy had suspected may have been true.
They rushed Tshepo to the hospital and there they admitted him to the intensive care as he was unresponsive.
The family recalled how the accused family member left before the alleged poisoned food was consumed – to only come back the following day.
“When he came back, we confronted him and asked him to eat his plate of the food we had the previous night, which he refused to do.
“From that day, he became very scarce and was nowhere to be found, “Modubu explained.
Modubu revealed that on August 9, the man showed up at the house. The family called the police, and he was arrested and charged with malicious damage to property.
“On August 19, he appeared in court. We had the opportunity to speak to him and he denied that he tried to poison us,” Joyce Mahabuke, the deceased’s mother, revealed.
“I struggle to sleep; I keep seeing the image of my son being helpless and in pain.
“We visited him in the hospital. On some days he looked as though he was getting better but on August 18, he was unresponsive again and when I went home that day, I knew my son would not make it,” she said.
She described Tshepo as a sweet and humble boy who loved singing and cooking.
“Everyone who knew Tshepo knows how much he loved singing. He was always happy and making jokes.
“My heart is broken. I need counselling to deal with this pain,” she said somberly.
She also revealed that others have been ill since consuming the food – an uncle has been sneezing blood while she has been suffering from a dry cough.
Kwa-Thema police spokesperson Constable Nkululeko Magudulela said an inquest docket is under investigation.
“Results from the postmortem and further statements from witnesses will determine whether there was foul play,” he said.
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