Andile Moshoeshoe
Andile Moshoeshoe
The Lusikisiki community in the Eastern Cape is in shock after it recorded 19 suicides in the past four weeks.
The situation has become untenable for the local inhabitants and the police have called for the community to seek consolation in divine intervention.
On Friday a Christian intercongregational prayer service was held as a means of ridding the community of the "evil" that was prevalent.
Most of the suicide victims hanged themselves in their homes or on trees.
Others poisoned themselves.
Among those who died last month are two known police officers and several youths.
In the most recent case a female officer died after she swallowed a poisonous substance.
Police are baffled by the spate of suicides, but locals believe it has something to do with evil spirits.
"There are certain issues that they cannot deal with as police alone. We need prayers. In our culture we relate suicides with the evil spirit. That is why we ask priests to work with us in this matter," said Captain Mduduzi Godlwana.
Pastor Joseph Nkomentaba said they were glad that the police believed the Lord existed.
Suicide-hit Lusikisiki turns to God
Andile Moshoeshoe
Andile Moshoeshoe
The Lusikisiki community in the Eastern Cape is in shock after it recorded 19 suicides in the past four weeks.
The situation has become untenable for the local inhabitants and the police have called for the community to seek consolation in divine intervention.
On Friday a Christian intercongregational prayer service was held as a means of ridding the community of the "evil" that was prevalent.
Most of the suicide victims hanged themselves in their homes or on trees.
Others poisoned themselves.
Among those who died last month are two known police officers and several youths.
In the most recent case a female officer died after she swallowed a poisonous substance.
Police are baffled by the spate of suicides, but locals believe it has something to do with evil spirits.
"There are certain issues that they cannot deal with as police alone. We need prayers. In our culture we relate suicides with the evil spirit. That is why we ask priests to work with us in this matter," said Captain Mduduzi Godlwana.
Pastor Joseph Nkomentaba said they were glad that the police believed the Lord existed.