ITSANI – Mystery and secrecy surround an alleged attempt to poison the communities of Itsani, Maniini, Tswinga, Tshakhuma and Muledane during the past weeks, after it was allegedly found that unknown tablets were inserted in some of the public taps in the area.

According to several members of the communities, they discovered unidentified white and red poison pills in their public taps over the past two weeks. Although they are taking as many precautions as possible, the community members are living in fear for their lives. It was reported that seven families of Itsani had been affected by the “poison,” and one of the families was rushed to the Tshilidzini hospital for treatment.

A pensioner, Mrs Nyanisi Mabasa (64), stated that she found a white tablet when collecting water from her home tap. The tablets are called “seven-day tablets” in the community, which means you will live for only seven days after consuming one.

The chairperson of the civic structure, Mrs Jane Nemutudi, visited the Mabasa family and arranged transport to take the eight family members to the Tshilidzini hospital for observation and treatment. Mabasa said that, since she received treatment she has been feeling well, but was still experiencing headaches. She also confirmed that her daughter, Ms Violet Chauke (29) was affected by the water and was still experiencing diarrhoea.

According to the chairperson of the Itsani Civic Association, Mrs Jane Nemutudi, said that the community members are living in fear and were pleading with anyone with information regarding the poisoning of their water to report it to the police.

The media liaison officer of Tshilidzini Hospital in Limpopo, Mr David Nemuhuyuni, confirmed that a family had been admitted and treated by the doctors. He also indicated that health department officials were visiting the family since their discharge from the hospital. He added that they were awaiting the results from the tests, to see what poison was used.