SEVENTEEN children have been hospitalised after allegedly consuming contaminated leftover food in Mazyopa Compound, Lusaka.
Police spokesman Rae Hamoonga has confirmed the incident in a statement issued today, saying it was reported at Mandevu Police Post on October yesterday, around 14:30 hours.
According to him, the case involves the sale of noxious food by Esther Daka, 34, of Mazyopa Compound, who is known to buy leftover food from restaurants at East Park Mall, purportedly for feeding dogs. However, on the day of the incident, Daka allegedly distributed some of the food to her own and her neighbors’ children and sold the remainder.
Shortly after consuming the food, 17 children — 11 boys and six girls aged between two and seventeen years — began experiencing severe stomach pains, vomiting, and in some cases, loss of consciousness.
A neighbour, Sarah Phiri, 49, who reported the matter to police, raised alarm after finding several children lying on the ground and vomiting. With the help of other residents, the children were rushed to Chipata Level One Hospital, where they received medical attention.
Police officers visited both the scene and the hospital to assess the situation. Hamoonga stated that all the affected children are in stable condition and remain under medical observation.
The suspected food has been confiscated and will be submitted to the Food and Drug Laboratory at the University Teaching Hospital – UTH for analysis.
The suspect, Esther Daka, has since been arrested and is in police custody, pending court appearance.
©️ TV Yatu October 28, 2025.
