By SYLVIA MWEETWA  –

THREE members of one family who died of suspected poisoning have been buried in Kapiri Mposhi District after carrying out a postmortem. The three members of one family died this week while another is recovering in hospital after eating suspected poisoned food. Two girls and a boy died less than an hour after they were admitted to Mpunde health centre while their older sibling was evacuated to Kabwe General Hospital, where he is receiving medication. Central Province Police chief Standwell Lungu who confirmed the development yesterday said the  deceased persons were buried on Wednesday following a postmortem and that the samples to determine the cause of death has since been sent to Lusaka for examination. Mr Lungu said investigations have continued and that the condition of the survivor identified as  Gift Machiko has stabilised. The three who died were identified as Gabson Machiko aged five, Modesta, 12, and 18-year-old Emenia, all of Sibale area in Chief Chipepo in Kapiri Mposhi District. The deceased and survivor are alleged to have eaten some poisoned food between 12:00 hours and 14:00 hours on Monday this week and developed diarrhoea and were vomiting. And the Provincial Administration in Central Province assisted the deceased family in providing coffins. Central Province Permanent Secretary Edwidge Mutale said the administration was forced to assist the  bereaved family after there were approached and had no means of transporting the bodies.