RUTENDO CHIRUME
MASVINGO-The post mortem that was performed on Victoria High School form 3 pupil at Masvingo Provincial Hospital could not establish the cause of death, The Midweek Watch can reveal.
Akudziwe Chenjerai from Yeukai, Budira Street in Mucheke Suburb, Masvingo City who was earlier on believed to have taken poison following a dispute with her boyfriend died on June 6 upon arrival at MPH after she was rushed there from school, sources told this publication.
Masvingo Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said they have not received such a report.
A doctor at MPH who could not be named for professional reasons told The Midweek Watch that the post mortem failed to establish the cause of death but they could not rule out poisoning.
He said her samples were taken to Harare for further examination where there are proper machines for such procedures.
“The patient was rushed here with signs of severe stomach ache but died while receiving treatment, the post mortem failed to show the actual cause of death, it was basically normal when her body was opened. She had no physical wounds or damages related to poisoning which is possible if she took strong contents for example cyanide can leave no trace of damage on body parts.
“At MPH we have a no forensic laboratory to further examine the cause of death of the deceased but we could not rule out the possibility of food poisoning and her blood samples were taken so that they can be studied and examined further in Harare,” said the doctor.
He added that it may take years before such results are back from Harare because of the deteriorating health delivery system in the country.
Victoria High School head, Engelbert Chimbwari confirmed the sad news and said the child was rushed to the hospital after she was discovered in the school toilet crying in pain.
“We rushed Akudziwe to the hospital after she was discovered in the toilet. We had no idea what had happened to her but the police who came to us said it was poison.
“There rumours are that she died over a boyfriend. Of course, as the school we have lost one of our own but my message is that learners should approach their teachers if there have any issues bothering them.
“We also have a counselling committee at school so we encourage learners to come to us with their problems whatever the nature of problems.
“Sometimes it is difficult for them to approach us especially when they may know that what they are doing is not allowed,” said Chimbwari.
According to her school mates the deceased allegedly had plans of killing herself and had suicidal tendencies.
One of her close friends showed this publication a message from the deceased requesting her to buy rat poison for her.
“Hie shamwari yangu ndokumbirawo unditengere mushonga or mushonga wemakonzo chaiwo ndongoda anything toxic ndokupa mari yako nemonday kuchikoro,” reads the message.
“This is the message she sent to me on Saturday and on her status she had posted her mom with a caption of crying emojis as well as a fare well message where she said; rest in peace for herself.
“She had written R.I.P on her books and she had also written ‘Rest in peace Akudziwe’ right round her school hat. I am sure my friend had this well planned because sometimes she would say these are her last days and we should take advantage of it as we will never see her again. We did not realise the extent of the matter because Aku loved joking around,” said her friend.
She also revealed that the deceased left the classroom holding something in her hand and went to the rest room where she was discovered vomiting and already in severe pain.
“We were in class before break time when Aku left the room saying she was going to the toilet. She had something in her clenched fist. After a while we noticed that Aku was not back in the class which was worrisome because she had taken longer than expected.
“We followed to the toilet where we found her vomiting and struggling in pain. She was put out at the school lawn and taken to hospital few minutes later. I do not think it has anything to do with her boyfriend because as far as I know they were still dating but Aku had something more bothering her than what meets the eye,” said her friend.
Other sources have it that even at church she was reportedly had refused to play the drums as she would all the time.
It is said she said that she did not have the courage to praise the Lord the way she normally does for she had done something sinful before God.
By the time going to Press it had not been established when or where she would be buried.
