A Vosloorus family is reeling from the sudden death of a 17-year-old matric pupil, Thandolwethu Moagi, whose passing has triggered community shock and calls for clarity following what relatives describe as a suspected “poison pie” incident.
Thandolwethu, a matric learner at Vosloorus Comprehensive Secondary School, died at J Dumane Clinic in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, after reportedly experiencing severe headache pain and rapidly deteriorating health. Her death has left the Moagi family devastated and searching for answers about the circumstances leading to her final hours.
Family spokesperson Kgaugelo Moagi described Thandolwethu as a bright, cheerful and driven young pupil who was well-liked among her peers and teachers. According to the family, she first began feeling unwell on Wednesday, 4 February, while attending classes at school.
At around midday, Thandolwethu phoned her mother sounding distressed and in visible discomfort. During the call, she complained about intense head pain and said she felt extremely unwell. The call prompted immediate concern among family members, who began trying to arrange help as her condition worsened during the afternoon.
Friends at school later contacted her mother in panic, saying Thandolwethu’s condition had deteriorated significantly. As her mother was not nearby, relatives coordinated assistance, including asking an aunt who was working from home to help respond to the emergency.
Family members rushed to the school after receiving urgent calls from pupils. When they arrived, Thandolwethu was already in a critical medical state and surrounded by concerned classmates. She was later transported for medical care, but despite efforts to assist her, she was declared dead at J Dumane Clinic.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged contaminated food item remain unclear, and it is understood that authorities are expected to investigate the matter to determine whether foul play or food contamination played a role. Community members have expressed concern about learner safety and food sold around school premises.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Vosloorus, with classmates, teachers and residents describing Thandolwethu as a promising young person with strong academic ambitions.
The Moagi family has called for a thorough investigation to establish exactly what happened, saying they hope the truth will help prevent similar tragedies. Meanwhile, grief counsellors and community leaders are expected to support learners and staff at the school as they process the loss of a fellow pupil whose life ended just months before completing her matric year.
