Man dies after nyaope overdose

The Malindi family are grieving the loss of their son, James Kapie Malindi, known as Kapzin after he died from a drug overdose on November 23.

Malindi was found in his shack by his brother, having a seizure with foam coming out of his mouth.

“I heard noises coming from his backroom shack. I went to check on him but the door was locked. I had to break the window to gain entrance into the shack and try to help him.

An ambulance arrived minutes later and paramedics said he was dehydrated, his blood pressure was high and he was experiencing blood shortage.” said brother, David Malindi.

Kapzin was taken to Jabulani Hospital but later transeferred to Baragwanath Hospital where he died while waiting to be admitted.

“They tried to assist him but it was too late. We were told that he had died due to an overdose of drugs,” said Malindi.

Kapzin had been smoking nyaope for over eight years and had battled with addiction despite attempts by family and the community to assist in getting rehabilitated.

Resident Pinky Tiro spoke highly of the 46-year-old, who recycled material to earn money.

“Although many nyaope addicts steal and commit crime to feed their habit, Kapie worked to feed his. He recycled stuff he got in dustbins and people’s scraps.

He asked when he needed something and didn’t mind doing odd jobs for it, his drug addiction was his only downfall.” said Tiro, who urged the community to stay away from the drug or seek help to beat the addiction.

Kapzin will be laid to rest on December 5 and the service will be held at 5B Sanders Road, Meadowlands from 11 am.