10 people have died in Choma District following suspected consumption of contaminated illicit alcohol locally known as gwala and kachasu.
According to the statement issued to the media by Choma District Health Director Belita Zulu today, the deaths occurred between May 11th and 14th, 2026, in what health authorities described as a serious public health emergency.
The victims are suspected to have consumed highly concentrated and potentially contaminated alcohol products.
Health officials have warned that illicit beer may contain dangerously high alcohol content, toxic contaminants and harmful chemicals used during the brewing process.
The District Health Office stated that such substances can lead to severe illness, organ failure, blindness, coma and death.
Authorities have since urged members of the public to avoid consuming unknown alcohol products and to immediately seek medical attention for anyone showing symptoms such as confusion, vomiting, difficulty breathing, seizures, unconsciousness and acute blindness after drinking alcohol.
The Choma District Health Office has described the loss of 10 lives within four days as a strong warning on the dangers of consuming unsafe alcohol.
Police have also launched investigations into the suspected illegal brewing and distribution of the alcohol linked to the deaths.
When police are absent from the community such disasters happen. They only know how to conduct roadblocks and how to follow directives on which opposition leader to arrest.
10 people dead and no arrests. It’s not a joke. The story should be mainly on the manhunt for the culprits not late, very late advice from health officials.
That’s why Nkombo used to drown these brewers.
Comment:why would anyone attempt to take kachasu in the first place? M.T.S.R.I.P.