Police in Lusaka have opened an inquiry after three children from the same family died in a suspected case of food poisoning in Kabanana Compound.
According to a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi, a report was received on January 5, 2026, at approximately 15:00 hours indicating the fatalities resulted from consuming contaminated food prepared at home.
Preliminary police investigations state that on January 3, 2026, around 20:00 hours, six family members shared a meal of nshima, pumpkin leaves (chibwabwa), soya pieces, and sour milk. Around midnight, all six began exhibiting symptoms including stomach pains, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
The victims were rushed to Chipata First Level One Hospital on January 4, 2026. One child, one-year-old Getrude Sibongile Mutombeni, died there. The remaining five were referred to Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital, where a second child, six-year-old Royd Mutombeni, died at around 18:00 hours the same day.
A third child, eight-year-old Bongani Mutombeni, passed away at the hospital on January 5, 2026, around 04:00 hours.
The parents of the children received treatment and have been discharged from the hospital in stable condition.
The bodies of the deceased children are currently at Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital and the University Teaching Hospital, awaiting postmortem examinations to determine the exact cause of death.
Police have opened an inquiry file, and investigations are ongoing.
