Zimpapers Logo

Thandeka Moyo Chronicle Reporter
A NKAYI granny and her granddaughter died after they were stung by a swarm of bees near their homestead.

Nomakhasa Mkhoko, 71, died while trying to protect her two grandchildren Bongile, 5, and Thabiso, 6, in Manomano area after the bees were provoked by the former, her grandson.

Bongile, who provoked the bees was hospitalised and discharged while his sister and granny lost their lives.

Mkhoko died on Saturday after her granddaughter had died the previous night shortly after being admitted to Nkayi District Hospital.

Thabani Mkhoko, father to the two kids, told The Chronicle yesterday that he rushed home from Bulawayo where he works and found his daughter already dead.

“My world has crumbled as I lost two loved ones in one day. Though my son survived the bees attack, I still can’t believe that I will have to bury both my mother and daughter at one go,” said Thabani.

He said the family was planning to bury the two today at their Nkayi homestead.

“I heard that my son provoked the bees as he was playing with his sister and the two ran home screaming when the bees started stinging them,” he said.

“My mother then saw then running towards her. She tried to protect them and she was stung in the process. The two kids were rushed to Sesemba Clinic and were immediately transferred to Nkayi Hospital as they were in a critical condition.”

Thabani said the girl died at around 10PM on Friday.

“When I rushed home from Bulawayo I found my daughter already dead and that’s when I realised that my mother also needed medical attention. She was taken to the same clinic and an ambulance was called to take her to Nkayi Hospital,” he said.

He said his mother died upon admission and nurses said she had been stung all over the body.

Thabani said the family was failing to come to grips with the deaths.

“I hope I will one day understand why such a tragedy befell me at a time like this. We’re having a lot of challenges,” he said.