- man dies after drinking his herbal concoction
A herbal concoction meant to treat a sexually transmitted infection has landed a spiritual healer based in Mathangwane village, 30 kilometres outside Francistown, in court for the death of his patient.
Martin Moyo (36) from Zimbabwe was on Monday arraigned before Francistown Magistrate’s Court charged for the killing of Chabo Thongolo last week Thursday.
During his arraignment, unprovoked Moyo told court what allegedly transpired on the fateful day. He said he was with friends and Thongolo who he had been assisting him with prayers and spiritual guidance for some time.
“Because I am a very spiritual person and help people when they have problems, Chabo asked me to pray for him and for his plans in life to succeed. I did that and also gave him some water which I had prayed for, to use when bathing. Some weeks later he came back and told he has been sick for over three months”, narrated Moyo.
“He said he was suffering from syphilis and wanted some muti to treat the infection and to cleanse his stomach. I then got some roots and made a concoction using those herbs. Then I gave him a cup of the mixture to drink. After an hour, he said he felt like closing his eyes and feeling drowsy.”
Moyo told Principal Magistrate Thapelo Buang that a friend who had accompanied Thongolo also asked for a cup of the herbal mixture.
“I gave him a cup of the mixture and he drank as well. Meanwhile, Thongolo told me he was getting weak and in no time, he fell down started to vomit and foam was coming out of his mouth. He was then rushed to the hospital but unfortunately, he died before he could reach it. Next, I saw the cops who arrested me for the death of Chabo”, ended Moyo.
Thongolo’s body is yet to undergo post mortem at Nyangabgwe Referral hospital to determine his cause of death.
Meanwhile Moyo’s plea has been reserved. He was further slapped with a charge for entering Botswana illegally; an offence he admitted.
