A LIMPOPO village is caught between traditional beliefs and official investigations after three people died from suspected food poisoning at a funeral.
Residents of Ga-Maja want a sangoma to investigate the deaths. Officials want the community to wait for post-mortem results.
The tragedy unfolded between 18 and 20 April 2026 when mourners at a funeral in the Lebowakgomo policing area suddenly fell ill.
Severe vomiting and diarrhoea spread through dozens of people. Forty-two were rushed to hospital. Thirty-eight were admitted.
A seven-year-old girl fell ill on Sunday afternoon, 19 April, shortly after eating funeral food. She passed away along with two others.
The village is now gripped by shock, fear and suspicion. Some residents believe there may be a hidden cause behind the deaths.
Limpopo Legislature Portfolio Committee chairperson on Transport and Community Safety, Kedibone Lebea, confirmed that villagers are calling for a traditional healer.
"Some residents have reportedly suggested consulting a traditional healer to identify the alleged cause or responsible party linked to the deaths," she said.
But Lebea urged the community to allow official investigations to proceed.
"While we are not disregarding our people's customary beliefs, our view as the portfolio committee is to allow government agencies space to conduct in-depth investigations into the matter," she said.
ALSO READ | Tragic: Funeral food 'claims' lives!Opens in new window
She appealed for calm as authorities work to uncover the truth.
Police have opened inquest dockets. Post-mortems are underway to determine the exact cause of death.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe offered condolences.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. We urge the community to remain calm as investigations continue," she said.
