While authorities are investigating an alleged poisoning incident in Lansdowne, a witness claims the six people who fell flou in the street on Monday were actually dik gesuip.
Law Enforcement spokesperson, Wayne Dyason, says officers patrolling Wetton Road found three men and a woman passed out at a bus stop.
“They were receiving medical attention from paramedics on the scene and one of them was experiencing convulsions,” Dyason says.
“While the paramedics were treating them, it was reported that another person was lying on the pavement in Walnut Road and another on the corner of St Joseph’s and Wetton roads.
“All six were treated on scene and taken to hospital.”
According to a police source, the group were taken to
Somerset and Groote Schuur hospitals where they told detectives that a man in a taxi had given them drinks.
“They are job seekers who sit along the road waiting for someone to pick them up. All of those people in the hospital are from Philippi,” says the source.
“When the detectives questioned them, they said a man in a taxi gave them the drinks that poisoned them, but when the detectives spoke to the doctor, they were told that it was a very strong mix of alcohol.”
Police spokesperson, Colonel Andrè Traut, confirmed: “No criminal case has been opened at this stage, however Lansdowne police will be looking into the matter to determine the circumstances.”
However, when the Daily Voice visited the area on Tuesday, Alexis Teman, 45, said the group was gesuip after drinking a toxic cocktail.
The father from Samora Machel, who stands on Wetton Road looking for work, says he could not believe his eyes when he saw the people kapping om.
SHOCKED: Alexis Teman, 45. Picture: Monique Duval
“That was not poison, they were drunk and they asked for that strong wine,” he claims.
“The people at The Penn (nightclub) often give us food because we stand here the whole day waiting for work.
“After 11am, we all walked over and the first guy who fainted was in front of me in the line.
“They were giving us soup and there was a guy with this strong wine and the people said they were babalas and wanted wine also.”
Alexis says he did not ask for dop as he doesn’t drink.
“First the guy put in juice for them but then they started to get greedy and took shots,” he says.
“When we came over the road, we just started seeing them all fall in the street.
“I was so shocked! It was horrible. They looked like they would die, I cannot believe they are alive. We heard it was a mix of brandy, whiskey and other stuff.”
Daily Voice visited The Penn but a man, who identified himself as the owner, refused to comment.
Mayco member for Health, Zahid Badroodien, says they are investigating: “We do not want to speculate on the possible cause until blood tests or clinical samples have been completed and interviews with those affected have been conducted.”