Poison mushroom family buried

21/22/2014. A funeral service of Samson Phiri, his wife Johanna Mthethwa, their children Frank and Angela - aged between 20 and 6 who died after eating poisoners mushrooms at their home in Olievenhoutsbosch. Picture: Oupa Mokoena

21/22/2014. A funeral service of Samson Phiri, his wife Johanna Mthethwa, their children Frank and Angela - aged between 20 and 6 who died after eating poisoners mushrooms at their home in Olievenhoutsbosch. Picture: Oupa Mokoena

Published Dec 22, 2014

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Pretoria - While friends, relatives and classmates could barely contain themselves as the remains of his entire family were lowered at the Olievenhoutbosch cemetery, young Emmanuel Mthethwa stood firm, tears falling silently down his face.

His father Samson Phiri, mother Johanna Mthethwa, brother Frank, 19, and sister Angela, 6, died after eating poisonous mushrooms on December 5.

Emmanuel survived after reportedly refusing to eat that night, saying he was fed up with mushrooms.

City of Tshwane executive mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa and members of the mayoral committee were present to pledge their support and offer condolences to the youngster.

The mayor said following these deaths, it was the city’s mission to bring back the dignity of people, as many – particularly in Olievenhoutbosch – did not have title deeds or places to stay.

Ramokgopa said there were 150 000 shacks in Tshwane and, with the influx of 10 000 people into the city every month, with 6 000 of them having nowhere to go, they ended up in a situation like the Mthethwa family.

“Emmanuel, we will look after you; rest assured you will not be homeless, or starve or be without education,” he said.

“It takes a village to raise a child so we will instil that attitude in this community – that he is our child,” Ramokgopa said.

The mayor asked the community not to speculate on the family’s deaths as they were still investigating.

MEC Panyaza Lesufi confirmed that accommodation and a new school had been found for Emmanuel and that the department would take care of all his educational needs.

Many of the children present to pay their respects could hardly contain their grief, wailing loudly in sorrow and disbelief.

One pupil had to be restrained by paramedics as she kept crying out: “Frank is not dead; take him out of there. Please I need to see him.”

A church elders at the Olievenhoutbosch Seventh Day Adventist Church where the family attended, Garikayi Dzingirayi, said Emmanuel was quiet and simply trying his best to stay strong.

Pretoria News

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