Two boys of the same family die of suspected food poisoning

TWO boys from the same family have died of suspected food poisoning in Mpulungu’s Chilwa village while three others have been admitted to Mpulungu district Hospital.

Meanwhile, the deceased family members to day beat to death a 49 year old man who they suspected to have given the poisoned foodstuffs.

ZANIS reports that both police in the district and health officials have confirmed the incident in separate interviews.

The deceased were named and aged 12, and five, years, respectively.

Police sources said that the incident happened last evening when the family ate food provided by the late Davies Mazimba.

According to sources, Mazimba accompanied by his wife, are said to have taken some food to the victims’ family during a routine visit.

The whereabouts of wife to the deceased man are unknown after being equally badly beaten.

Facts are that as the family sat to have their meal, the deceased victims developed stomach problems and died on the way to the hospital.

Police said the community later realizing the case as that of food poisoning, descended on Mazimba and his wife and started beating them.

The mob beat up Mazimba who died on the spot whilst his wife was whisked away from the angry mob by unknown sympathizers.

The bodies of the three people are lying in Mpulungu District Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem and burial.

A visit this morning at the hospital found the other victims of the suspected poisoning lying in hospital beds in their respective wards.

Hospital authorities identified those admitted as Cylla Nankala, Eddie Sikapite and William Sikapite.

Police are still carrying out investigations to establish the motive behind the food poisoning