The tight-knit farming community of Koelenhof in Stellenbosch is grieving the loss of four farmworkers who passed away after consuming expired alcohol.
On 26 July, Juanita Hull, Megan Heynes, Wilhemina Snyder, her boyfriend Elton Greene, and Monecia Alckers were drinking together. A few days later, an ambulance was called for three of them, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Jestine Alckers, Monecia’s sister, explained, ‘They took the gin from Joubert Family Wine farm that Friday morning. Apparently, there was a 25-litre bucket and they only got 1.5 litres. It was a very strong drink, which they chased with a cool drink. It looked like water, I understand that it was expired but I don’t know if they knew that it was.’
Monecia is the only one of the group to have survived. Jestine mentioned that this was not their first time drinking this alcohol.
‘The first time, a month ago, he took a 25-litre bucket with the alcohol and nothing happened. They were reportedly told by someone at the farm that if they drank the alcohol again, then they will go blind and die. And that is what happened. On Friday and Saturday they had no problems. On Sunday they first complained about their eyesight and then they said they were nauseous and throwing up.’
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Jestine recounted how they called for medical help.
‘My sister got her sight back and we called the ambulance. We thought Wilhemina was having a stroke because she had slurred speech and was incoherent. And when the others started speaking like that, we knew something was wrong. Wilhemina’s boyfriend, Elton, was fine so he left them at the hospital and then went to his sister’s house. He died the following day. It’s traumatic because we thought they were going to survive. We thought they ate something but we are now convinced that they were poisoned by what they all drank.’
A manager from Joubert Family Wine farm declined to comment, stating, ‘We are waiting for the detectives to investigate. We send our condolences to the families of the deceased.’
IOL reported that police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said Stellenbosch detectives have registered inquest cases for investigation.
‘A 63-year-old female was admitted to hospital where she was declared deceased upon arrival on Saturday, 27 July, 2024. A 41-year-old male was declared deceased on 28 July, while two females aged 16 and 43 died at hospital in Parow on 31 July. Two other victims were discharged from hospital and another victim did not need medical assistance. Post-mortems will be conducted to determine the causes of death. The circumstances surrounding the incident are the subject of an investigation by the South African Police Service,’ said Twigg.
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Feature image: Pexels
This article was originally written by Aiden Daries for Cape {town} Etc.
