Five die after eating poisoned meal

from Nyamandwe communal lands.
The four Makuyo brothers Rainos (35), Innocent (34), Enock (31) and Eliphas (33) are from Mushavi Village.

Their relative, Mutetwa Magonyo (26) of Masunda Village in the area also died minutes after eating sadza, vegetables and dried beef at Eliphas’ homestead.
Another Makuyo sibling, Mercy (58) who also ate the same food is reportedly battling for her life at Gutu Mission Hospital.
Her condition is said to be critical.
Eliphas had hired them to build a house.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tineyi Matake yesterday said the bodies were all taken to Masvingo General Hospital for post-mortem.
“The bodies of all the deceased are waiting for a post-mortem at Masvingo General Hospital to establish what caused their death soon after eating the sadza and vegetables mixed with dried meat that had been prepared by one of them who is among the deceased.

“Another woman who also ate the food is in a critical condition at Gutu Mission Hospital and we are still investigating to establish what caused the deaths,” said Insp Matake.
It is believed that Eliphas, who was employed as a teacher at Mutero Mission in Gutu, hired his three brothers Rainos, Innocent and Enock together with Magonyo to build a six-roomed house for him at his homestead.

On the fateful day at around 11 am, Enock prepared some sadza and vegetables mixed with dried meat, while his colleagues were busy with their work.
As they ate the meal, they were joined by Eliphas and Mercy who were also served the same dishes.

After the six had finished eating the meal, they started complaining of stomach pains and Rainos, Innocent and Enock died within a few minutes, while Magonyo was rushed to his homestead in the neighbouring village.

He also died on arrival at his homestead, while Eliphas who had tried to cycle back to his work place to seek medical attention died after cycling for seven kilometres.
The Makuyos’ sister Mercy, who had also eaten the food, was rushed to Gutu Mission Hospital where her condition is said to be critical.