Police probe church after rectal treatment lands boy (12) in ICU
Phillipus JosefRundu
A case of attempted murder and a charge under the Health Professions Act have been registered against a self-proclaimed prophet in Manzwa village, Kavango West.
The prophet’s church, which keeps patients on-site for alleged healing purposes, reportedly administers mixtures of vinegar, salt, herbs and water, which are given to patients to drink, bathe in, or, in some cases, insert rectally.
According to Kavango West regional commander Commissioner Julia Sakuwa-Neo, the incident that prompted the police investigation took place on 18 October, when a 12-year-old boy was reportedly brought to the church for healing.
The prophet allegedly instructed that a concoction be administered rectally, while another mixture was given to the boy’s grandmother to administer at home.
Shortly after, the child became seriously ill and was admitted to the intensive care unit at a local hospital, where doctors found damage to his intestines.
It remains unclear whether the injuries were caused by the mixture provided by the church or by an underlying illness, and blood samples have been sent to a laboratory for analysis.
The 12-year-old boy has since been moved from the intensive care unit to a general ward and is now in a stable condition.
No arrests have been made as investigations continue.
Police have issued a stern warning to churches to refrain from administering harmful substances under the guise of healing.
The public is urged not to be misled and to educate themselves about safe medical practices and legitimate church teachings.
Déjà vu
A similar incident occurred four years ago in Kasivi village, when three people died, while a fourth narrowly survived after drinking a concoction prescribed by a pastor at a church.
The victims were identified as Ndumba Evaristus Ntamba (37), Ndumba Robertha Nangombe (45) and Simbaranda Hilka Kapango (21).
Police later arrested an assistant pastor who had administered the mixture on the instructions of a senior pastor.
According to the police, the group went to Victory Church in Mutengo village seeking healing.
Once there, they were given a mixture of white vinegar, methylated spirit and salt, which was administered through a tube inserted into their rectum.
After taking the concoction, they went to rest in their tents. Later, they began experiencing diarrhoea, and one of them reportedly screamed in pain caused by the mixture.
Later that day, three of them died in their tents, while the fourth was admitted to Nankundu State Hospital.
A case of attempted murder and a charge under the Health Professions Act have been registered against a self-proclaimed prophet in Manzwa village, Kavango West.
The prophet’s church, which keeps patients on-site for alleged healing purposes, reportedly administers mixtures of vinegar, salt, herbs and water, which are given to patients to drink, bathe in, or, in some cases, insert rectally.
According to Kavango West regional commander Commissioner Julia Sakuwa-Neo, the incident that prompted the police investigation took place on 18 October, when a 12-year-old boy was reportedly brought to the church for healing.
The prophet allegedly instructed that a concoction be administered rectally, while another mixture was given to the boy’s grandmother to administer at home.
Shortly after, the child became seriously ill and was admitted to the intensive care unit at a local hospital, where doctors found damage to his intestines.
It remains unclear whether the injuries were caused by the mixture provided by the church or by an underlying illness, and blood samples have been sent to a laboratory for analysis.
The 12-year-old boy has since been moved from the intensive care unit to a general ward and is now in a stable condition.
No arrests have been made as investigations continue.
Police have issued a stern warning to churches to refrain from administering harmful substances under the guise of healing.
The public is urged not to be misled and to educate themselves about safe medical practices and legitimate church teachings.
Déjà vu
A similar incident occurred four years ago in Kasivi village, when three people died, while a fourth narrowly survived after drinking a concoction prescribed by a pastor at a church.
The victims were identified as Ndumba Evaristus Ntamba (37), Ndumba Robertha Nangombe (45) and Simbaranda Hilka Kapango (21).
Police later arrested an assistant pastor who had administered the mixture on the instructions of a senior pastor.
According to the police, the group went to Victory Church in Mutengo village seeking healing.
Once there, they were given a mixture of white vinegar, methylated spirit and salt, which was administered through a tube inserted into their rectum.
After taking the concoction, they went to rest in their tents. Later, they began experiencing diarrhoea, and one of them reportedly screamed in pain caused by the mixture.
Later that day, three of them died in their tents, while the fourth was admitted to Nankundu State Hospital.
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