KwaZulu-Natal police are investigating the circumstances that led to the death of four members of the same family after allegedly drinking traditional medicine.

Superintendent Henry Budhram said on Thursday the deceased were admitted to hospital in Msinga after becoming ill, allegedly after consuming medicine purchased from a local traditional doctor.

"Several others are presently in a critical condition at the hospital."

He said the first death was reported on Monday and the others had died since then.

Those who had died had been identified as: Sonny Edward Dumakude (49) Danti Nxumalo (87) Mbongiseni Dumakude (43) and Mkhuzen Dumakude (53).

The circumstances surrounding the incident were being investigated.