The SAPS stated they have no reason to believe crime intelligence boss Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo’s illness might be linked to poisoning.
However, this is not the case for some high-profile politicians as some prominent figures have claimed to be victims of poisoning in the past.
In September last year, Deputy President Paul Mashatile was captured on live television collapsing at the N’wamitwa Day celebrations in Tzaneen, Limpopo.
He later attributed his collapse to suspected food poisoning, which allegedly occurred a day prior to the incident while he was delivering an address.
At the time, he recounted that he experienced something unusual days before his collapse while in Cape Town, where he was part of a cabinet subcommittee meeting.
According to him, he fell ill upon returning home. “I felt like I had food poisoning or something,” he said.
The late former deputy President David Mabuza, who died in July this year, previously claimed he was poisoned after consuming food during his birthday celebration in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga.
Mabuza revealed that the poisoning incident nearly cost him his life, rendering him unable to walk or stand for extended periods.
According to reports, he underwent daily treatment after work to manage his condition, which provided him relief from pain.
Mabuza claimed he was poisoned during his birthday celebration, where he had distributed bicycles, uniforms, blankets, and food parcels to four schools in Bushbuckridge.
He had consumed snacks, tea, and lunch at the event, after which he experienced declining energy and a high fever, leading to his hospitalisation at Nelspruit Mediclinic
Mabuza requested a transfer to Milpark Hospital, preferring it over receiving treatment in his home province to maintain privacy.
However, doctors at Milpark were unable to diagnose his condition, despite his severe symptoms, including inability to eat or move, and significant weight loss from 78kg to 44kg.
Former President Jacob Zuma had also claimed he was poisoned in 2015, reportedly stating: “some people wanted me dead”, and acknowledged that the poison was potent, putting him through a difficult period.
The alleged poisoning attempt on Zuma’s life was investigated by the State Security Agency, working with the Hawks.
Zuma’s estranged wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, was asked to leave their Nkandla homestead due to a “sensitive matter” being investigated, which was reportedly related to an alleged plot to poison the President.
Ntuli-Zuma denied any involvement in the alleged plot and has cooperated with investigators. She was not prosecuted for the alleged crime.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za
