‘Vetkoek death’ families in payout limbo

LIFE insurance policies for three Langa teens who died mysteriously after eating vetkoek and polony are not being paid to the families because, on their death certificates, the words “under investigation” are written, according to their relatives.

The families are upset that postmortem results have not yet been released, as they were hoping the money from the insurance companies would have covered their burial costs.

But the families said they would bury their loved ones with their own money this weekend.

Three teenage friends from the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Langa – Athule Makonzi, 15, Khanyisa Mtamzeli, 17, and Mzingisi Gobecimele, 17 – died on Sunday, a few hours after consuming the vetkoek on Saturday night.

Taken to hospital on Sunday, Athabile Simayile, 17, was discharged at Somerset Hospital four days later.

Athabile told the Cape Times he had felt dizzy immediately after eating the vetkoek and polony, went straight home, vomited and collapsed. He woke in hospital.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said yesterday the postmortem reports were still outstanding.

Khanyisa’s family member, Nosiphelele Msesiwe, said the family “can’t claim... without postmortem results”.

Mzingisi’s aunt, Nomsa Gobicimele, said the delay was “frustrating because we cannot move forward because of the death certificate status saying under investigation”.

“It is painful to lose a loved one and now we can’t get money, even though we must go to the Eastern Cape to bury him,” said Gobicimele.

She said police had told the family the results were still at the laboratory and could take up to three weeks to be released.

“We are trying to put money together because we can’t abandon a person,” she said, adding that the family was leaving at the weekend for Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, where Mzingisi would be buried.

A memorial service is planned for the teenagers at Kulani High School in Langa tomorrow.