By SYLVIA MWEETWA –
THREE members of one family in Kapiri Mposhi District have died while another is battling for his life in hospital after eating suspected poisoned food.
Two girls and a boy died less than an hour after they were admitted to a local health centre while their older sibling has since been evacuated to Kabwe General Hospital, where he is receiving medication.
Deputy Central Province commissioner of police Edwin Bwanga said in Kabwe yesterday that the deceased and the survivor were believed to have eaten some poisoned food between 12:00 hours and 14:00 hours on Monday this week and developed diarrhoea.
He said they were also vomiting and were later rushed to Mpunde Health Centre.
Mr Bwanga identified the deceased as Gabson Machiko, aged five, Modesta, 12, and 18-year-old Emenia, all of Sibale area in Chief Chipepo in Kapiri Mposhi District.
The survivor has been identified as Gift.
Mr Bwanga said the bodies of the three were in Kabwe General Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem to establish the cause of death.
He said police had launched investigations into the matter and called for calm among family members.
Kapiri Mposhi Member of Parliament Eddie Musonda expressed shock at the death of the three and urged the police to thoroughly investigate the matter.
Mr Musonda said it was sad for one family to lose such a number of members at once.
He said he would travel to the area to see how best to assist the bereaved family.