By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Three people have died after their allegedly consumed Gold Blend whisky and Nikolai Vodka in Mumbwa and Mwansabombwe.
And police are investigating circumstances surrounding the death of three people.
Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said Pali Mabika 53, of Nalusanga Village in Mumbwa District reported that his niece Mwelwa Musa 14 of Lubemba Village in Mulendema Chiefdom of Mumbwa District died after consuming an alleged Gold blend whisky on July 4,2022 around 19:00 hours.
Mr Hamoonga said the incident happened when Mwelwa the victim who was with her friend aged 19 met five men aged 26,31,23 and the duo who resides within the neighborhood went to watch traditional dances called “Vinyau” within Lubemba village.
He said on the way, one man among them bought a bottle of whisky in a bar.
“When their arrival at the main arena all drunk the whisky using one cup in turns. Their all got drunk and the two girls started vomiting while the men had headaches and stomach pains and walked to their respective homes with struggles. Thereafter the condition of Mwelwa Musa worsened and was taken to Mumbwa District hospital where she died around 08:50 hours on July 5, 2022.
“At around 21:00 hours Willie Shambuluma 26, who was among them also died at Mumbwa hospital after severe vomiting and having lost sight. The other five victims went to the hospital and are currently on medication and their condition is stable. The two bodies are lying in Mumbwa hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem and burial,” he said.
And in a related development on July 6, 2022 Elady Chifwembe 31, of Lusaka John Laing compound an electrician working with Zambezi steel company based in Lusaka, had been admitted at Kazembe rural health center on grounds that he had been feeling dizzy and experiencing sudden blindness after allegedly consuming Nikolai Vodka.
Mr Mwale also said that Cosmas Lungu 28, an employee subcontracted by Verols company who are constructing a district hospital in Mwansabombwe died on July 5,2022 around 12:00 hours at Mbereshi Mission Hospital, after a referral from Kazembe clinic who also complained having sadden blindness, dizziness and loss of appetite.
Police went to Kazembe clinic and interviewed Elady Chifwembe who explained that on Monday July 4, 2022 Cosmas Lungu 28, of house number 354/23 of Mpatamato of Luanshya District in Copperbelt now the deceased with Elady Chifwembe (the surviving victim )bought three Nikolai vodka from Tasheni mini store in Mwansabombwe which they had consumed.
An inquiry file has been opened and the Nikolai vodka 750 Millilitres bottle has been confiscated by the health officers for further investigation as the sample will be taken to Lusaka for examination.
The body of the victim is in the mortuary awaiting post-mortem and burial.
