Young boy’s death leaves Ekurhuleni family heartbroken

The Mahabuke family is devastated by the tragic death of their 17-year-old son, Tshepo Mahabuke.

Tshepo was hospitalised on August 5 after consuming food, allegedly poisoned by a relative. His brother, Tshiamo Modubu, recounted the horrifying night when Tshepo cried out for help during the early hours.

“You could see that he was in pain, and his mouth filled with foam,” Modubu said.

Earlier in the day, the family had been happy, singing together, when the accused family member disrupted the peace.

“He always disturbs our peace and provokes us almost every day. Tshepo would defend our mother against him, which aggravated him even more,” Modubu added.

An argument reportedly ensued between Tshepo and the accused, during which threats were made against the young boy.

Later that evening, while the family was having supper, Tshepo reportedly noticed a suspicious substance on his plate and warned his family that it might be poison.

“We didn’t think much of it and assured him he was seeing crumbs from the food,” Modubu explained.

When Tshepo cried for help later that night, the family realised his fears might have been justified.

They rushed Tshepo to the hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care, unresponsive.

Modubu recalled that the accused family member left before the alleged poisoned food was consumed, only to return the next day.

“When he came back, we confronted him and asked him to eat from the food we had the previous night, but he refused. From that day, he became very scarce and was nowhere to be found,” Modubu said.

On August 9, the man returned to the house. The family called the police, and he was arrested and charged with malicious damage to property.

“On August 19, he appeared in court. We had the opportunity to speak to him, and he denied trying to poison us,” Joyce Mahabuke, Tshepo’s mother, revealed.

“I struggle to sleep; I keep seeing the image of my son being helpless and in pain. We visited him in the hospital. Some days he looked as though he was getting better, but on August 18, he was unresponsive again. When I went home that day, I knew my son wouldn’t make it,” she said.

She described Tshepo as a sweet and humble boy who loved singing and cooking.

“Everyone who knew Tshepo knows how much he loved singing. He was always happy and making jokes. My heart is broken. I need counselling to deal with this pain,” she said somberly.

She also revealed that others who consumed the food have been ill—an uncle has been sneezing blood, while she has been suffering from a dry cough.

Kwa-Thema police spokesperson Constable Nkululeko Magudulela said an inquest docket is under investigation.

“Results from the postmortem and further statements from witnesses will determine whether there was foul play,” he said.