Four children die after eating Cassava

Police deputy spokesperson, Danny Mwale

Four children of the same village in Siavonga district of Southern Province have died after eating the cassava given to them by the grandmother to one of the victims.

The three of them are from one family except one identified as Onetty Manyepa aged three who was from the neighbourhood in the same village.

The other children were identified as Abigail Chalika aged two, Stephane Maocha and Celina Moonga both aged four all of Butete village, Chief Simamba in Siavonga District.

All the four were pronounced dead upon arrival at Siavonga District Hospital.

Police Deputy Spokesperson Danny Mwale who confirmed the development says preliminary investigations indicate that on October 26, 2023 between 10:00 hours and 11:00 hours, the children were given cassava by the grandmother of one of the children identified as Eunice Manyepa aged 48 of the same village.

“It is alleged that she equally ate the cassava together with other family members,” Mwale said.

Mwale said police officers were informed that around 15:00 hours, the four children started vomiting and were taken to Nabutezi Clinic where their condition was said to be not stable.

“They were rushed to Siavonga District Hospital where they were pronounced dead around 20:00 hours.”

“The bodies were deposited in the same Hospital mortuary waiting for postmortem. Police suspect foul play,” Mwale said.