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Danisa Masuku
WHEN Avuyile Mpengesi (3) gulped the juice he was given by his grandfather Shepherd Mhlanga (53), a vendor at Renkini Long Distance Bus Terminus in Bulawayo, no one in the family ever thought that his life would be abruptly cut short.
However, after a few sips, the toddler handed the drink to his 10-year-old sister who took a sip and immediately spat the juice, complaining that it was bitter.
The blissful atmosphere in the Makokoba family house living room turned for the worst as little Avuyile started to wriggle in agony and then vomited.
His grandmother Jennifer Nxumalo (42) tried to save his life by giving him milk, but her efforts were in vain as he fell unconscious in her hands.
At that moment, the 10-year-old was also complaining of dizziness and an ambulance was called to the scene. The ambulance crew checked on the three-year-old and confirmed that he had died.
The ambulance then rushed the 10-year-old to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical attention.
According to Jennifer, the little girl is recovering. The incident took place on Tuesday.
The family reported the incident at Mzilikazi Police Station and the body was transported to a mortuary where a post-mortem was set to be carried out. However, the incident left the family devastated, trying to find answers to the tragic incident.
The B-Metro News crew visited the family yesterday and came face to face with a family and community in grief and searching for answers. The deceased will be laid to rest today.
In between sobs Jennifer who was sitting beside the mother of the late boy, Mathuba Nxumalo said: “Mhlanga came home from Renkini and found us in the living room with the late who was aged three and his sister who is 10 years old. He gave them a drink (name supplied) to share. The late took a few sips and handed it to his sister who took a sip and swallowed some of it before spitting it on the floor complaining that it was bitter.
“At that moment, the three-year-old tumbled to the ground and wriggled on the floor. He became dizzy before he fell unconscious. His sister complained of dizziness and started to vomit. The boy was pronounced dead by the ambulance crew,” she said.
Jennifer said Mhlanga was quizzed about where he got the drink.
“He told us that he picked it up at Renkini Bus Terminus where he sells his wares,” she said.
Mathuba, who was emotionally drained and cast a sorrowful figure said her father (Mhlanga) “loved my son.”
Describing her son, she said: “He was an adventurous, intelligent boy who I thought would grow up and become a man but fate had its plans, now he is no more.”
The incident was confirmed by Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube.
“We would like to discourage community members from picking up either a drink or food from the ground for consumption because that will put their lives at risk,” he said.
Efforts to talk to Mhlanga were fruitless.
“The issue has affected him. He left today (Thursday) in the morning and we do not know where he went. He does not have a cell phone,” said Jenifer.
Online Reporter