THOHOYANDOU – A dead cat, believed to have eaten leftovers contaminated with poison, is presently in the Thohoyandou SAPS mortuary for post mortem purposes.

In the meantime, a 90-year-old pensioner, who is suspected of eating the same food, is in a serious condition in the Vhufuli Hospital.

According to Capt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi of the Vhembe SAPS, the aged man from Vhurivhuri was engaged in an argument with his 18-year-old grandson last Saturday. According to reports, the grandson accused his grandfather of practising witchcraft.

“After the argument, the old man ate some of the food, but before he could finish eating, he started feeling sick. He was rushed to Vhufuli hospital, where he was still fighting for his life at the time of going to press.

Mushavhanamadi said that a dead cat was found lying next to the leftover food and was taken to the Thohoyandou SAPS for a post mortem .

He said that the police had already opened a case of attempted murder against the pensioner’s grandson, who is currently in the police holding cells. “We are appealing to members of the community to stop suspecting each other fof practising witchcraft. If they are confronted with problems, they must come to us, so that we can take them to the relevant department,” Mushavhanamadi said.