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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
FIVE people, four children and an elderly woman who died in Mwenezi after eating food suspected to have been laced with poison have been buried with government assistance. Slyvia, 4, and Beauty Baloyi, 7, Takudzwa, 7 and Tafadzwa Pote, 4, and Esther Kunguli, 70, of Village 7, Masangula communal lands under Chief Chitanga died on Wednesday last week after eating dried vegetables mixed with fresh milk thought to be contaminated with an as yet unknown poison.

The deceased, victims of suspected jealousy in a polygamous marriage, were among eight people who ate the same food including Marita Zavirima, 35, third wife to the polygamous Musuteri Dhambarara, 59, her mother Selina Lisimati, 69, and Zavirima’s 10-year-old daughter. Marita and Lisimati survived by drinking a cow dung concoction after which they vomited while the ten-year-old survived after eating sadza only.

Mwenezi district administrator Rosemary Chingwe who attended the burial said the five were buried at the Baloyi homestead in Masangula area on Sunday at around 4PM. The government provided coffins and food for the mourners.

“The burial of the five, four children and one elderly woman were buried at Peter Baloyi’s homestead despite the family demanding compensation before burial. Baloyi is father to the late two girls, Slyvia and Beauty. He is also brother to Marita Zavirima,” said Chingwe.

She said Baloyi and other relatives were demanding some beasts from Dhambarara saying the poison was found at his house but Chingwe intervened to ensure that burial went ahead.

Baloyi said: “We were assisted by government through Mwenezi DA’s office. I’m grateful to government for such help as we would not have afforded. They provided everything from food to coffins and I am happy that my children, nephews and aunt have been laid to rest. I’m yet to talk to Dhambarara over compensation issue because I want 25 beasts. I wanted compensation before burial but I couldn’t go against the DA’s advice.”