The family of the late businessman Theophilus Mphosi has announced that two experts have confirmed he was poisoned.
They also complained about delays in the release of the state’s pathology report, which is crucial for the ongoing murder investigation.
Theo Mphosi, the CEO of the Rheinland Group of companies, died suddenly on June 5, 2022.
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He was 40 years old.
According to his bodyguard, Mphosi started having seizures while returning from a tombstone unveiling.
Before that, he had been in good health with no complaints of coughing or pain.
Initially, an autopsy report stated that Mphosi’s death was consistent with pneumonia.
However, Mphosi’s sister, Moditswi Cindrella Ramokoto, doubted this conclusion and suspected he might have been poisoned.
She approached the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane in August last year to request a second autopsy.
The court granted her request, and his body was exhumed in September.
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In a statement on Wednesday, the family said two independent forensic pathologists, appointed by the family and the court, examined samples from the exhumation.
Both concluded independently that the cause of death was poisoning.
“Despite the findings of the private forensic pathologists, the criminal investigation and prosecution cannot proceed without the official report from the state pathologist. This report is essential to move the case forward,” the family said.
The family expressed their distress over the delay, viewing it as an obstacle to justice.
Without the report, law enforcement officials cannot further investigate, charge, or prosecute those responsible for Mphosi’s death.
Timely forensic reports are crucial in criminal investigations, especially in cases of potential foul play.
When asked for a comment, Limpopo Health Department spokesperson Neil Shikwambana said their head of forensic pathology has concluded the report.