Grandmother, Grandson Die Within Hours as Police Probe Mystery Illness in Hwange

By Breeze FM Reporter

Kachechete Village, Hwange District — Tragedy has struck a family in Kachechete Village, Ward 2, after a grandmother and her grandson died within hours of each other following a sudden illness. The cause of their deaths has not yet been established, and police investigations are underway.

Speaking to Breeze FM, the family’s patriarch, Mr Nkululeko Mahlangu, said the ordeal began on Sunday after several members of the household started experiencing severe stomach problems.

According to Mr Mahlangu, his one-year-and-six-month-old son was the first to complain of stomach pains, followed by the children’s grandmother. He added that other members of the family, including his wife and youngest child, later also fell ill.

Mr Mahlangu said the family had been in good health on Saturday, adding that he had even attended a social soccer match with his son before returning home.

“On Saturday everyone was fine. I even went to watch a social soccer game with my son. When we came back from the shops, he was happy and healthy,” Mr Mahlangu said.

He explained that on Sunday morning his son began complaining of stomach pains. Believing the condition could be managed overnight, he planned to take the affected family members to Lesedi Clinic on Monday morning.

Mr Mahlangu said he assisted his son several times during the night as he repeatedly got up to relieve himself.

“I woke up around 8 p.m. and accompanied him outside. I woke up again around 2 a.m. to help him. At around 6 a.m., when I went to check on him before taking him to the clinic, I found that he had passed away,” he said.

The family immediately rushed the children’s grandmother to hospital, but she also died later that same day.

Mr Mahlangu said the tragedy has left the entire household devastated, with several other family members reportedly still unwell.

He added that he sought medical attention himself but was discharged with medication, while members of the community have rallied around the family by offering support and traditional home remedies.

The bodies of the deceased are expected to be taken to Bulawayo for post-mortem examinations to help determine the exact cause of death.

Police have since opened an investigation, and authorities are yet to release official findings regarding the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

This is a developing story. More details will be shared as they become available.