Martin Endjala
A dark cloud again looms above the Kavango East region following the death of two women after they consumed traditional medicine in a bid to change their luck for the better.
The suspected poisonous substance was administered to the victims by a self-proclaimed traditional healer.
According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of the Public Relations Division of the Namibian Police, the latest poisoning incident occurred at the Kandjara Village.
She said that the 27-year-old, Shiremo Josefine Namutenya and the 30-year-old, Linyando Shikonga died at separate venues after drinking the traditional medicine.
“It is alleged that the suspect, a 45-year-old man administered a concoction believed to be traditional medicine to six women at the same time. It is further alleged that the suspect was approached by the victims to be treated for bad luck and to get rid of evil spirits. The suspect then allegedly provided a mixture of powders and another substance and told the victims it will heal them,” she said.
According to the report, two of the women developed stomach aches and collapsed. One died at home and the other died upon arrival at a local clinic. Both complained about runny stomachs and vomiting at the same time.
Two more of the healer’s victims, aged 30 and 39, were rushed to the clinic in the village by relatives. At the clinic, they received treatment before being rushed to the Nyangana Catholic Hospital where they were admitted while the remaining two victims were discharged after receiving medical attention.
The suspect, who also works as a cleaner at Kandjara Primary School, fled the scene after he heard that two of the women died.
He, however, handed himself in later at Ndiyona Police Station where he is detained in connection with the deaths.
According to the Kavango East Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu, cases of poisoning are not prominent in the region, but the recent tragedy where 16 members of a family died due to suspected food poisoning has painted a very negative picture of the region.
“These people calling themselves prophets, traditional healers and so forth do this under false pretence. They prey on vulnerable people who are desperate to make ends meet. This must come to an end,” Kanyetu said.
The Commissioner expressed discontentment with people giving uncertified medicine to people to drink which eventually led to their demise.
“Negligence is an offence and it is punishable as culpable homicide. Omitting something is negligence by omission because it leads to the loss of someone’s life”, added the Commissioner.
A campaign has now begun in the region calling for all traditional healers to be certified before rendering any services to the communities, to allow scientists to come in and test these medicines to rule out any poisoning or danger attached to them.
Furthermore, the campaign will include sensitizing community members to rather visit certified medical practitioners in case of needing any health assistance and to avoid seeking “help” that might end lives.
Four of the latest poisoning victims survived the ordeal after they were rushed to the hospital.
“They are now in good health and that is a testament to the professional help provided by Namibia’s health facilities,” Kanyetu emphasized
He urged communities to believe in the health system provided in the region and added that people should also pay attention to their bodies whenever it tells them that they are consuming something bad.
“Our bodies are no longer the same and some substances we take in are harmful to our bodies, so let’s be on guard and live a healthy lifestyle. I urge all community members to remain vigilant, and not to fall victim to these self-proclaimed healers or prophets,” Kanyetu urged.
Meanwhile, Rundu Councillor in the Kavango East region Paulus Mbangu expressed his condolences to families who lost loved ones.
He added that all churches must be regulated by a church body because the current system of voluntary regulation in the country does not function properly.
He was of the opinion that proper regulation will protect people and avoid more such tragic incidents from ever happening.
Mbango stated that poverty is the dominating factor in the whole saga. He said that when people are hungry they will believe anything because their understanding becomes very clouded when required to make sound judgments that could mean the difference between life and death.
The All People’s Party (APP) Secretary General, Vincent Kanyetu called on the community to be careful to avoid falling victim to people selling dreams that are removed from reality.
“The suspect is a cleaner at a primary school, and in his spare time, he administers medicine that is presumably said to wash away bad luck. How on earth do you wash away bad luck by making people vomit?” he remarked.
He said the latest tragedy occurred while the region is already in mourning.
The memorial service for the family who lost 16 of its members almost two weeks ago as a result of poisoning took place yesterday. They are to be buried next weekend, with government’s assistance.
“Now people are forced to bury two more members of the community,” he lamented
