March 15, 2024 – Police are investigating a case of suspected poisoning in which eight people are believed to have died after consuming suspected counterfeit beer.
The reports of deaths have been reported in Lusaka’s Kanyama compound where Rainford Banda aged 23 of Makeni Villa and Sanford Mumba aged 26 of John Leing compound died in unclear circumstances after consuming suspected counterfeit beer.
Police investigations have revealed that six other persons died in separate incidents at unknown dates and time within Kanyama compound as a result of drinking the same suspected counterfeit beer.
Brief facts about Rainford and Sanford’s deaths are that on March 7, 2024 around 20:00 hours, the two were seen drinking a named beer at a named bar within Kanyama compound and around 22:00 hours, they both went to their homes in Kanyama and John Leing compounds respectively.
Investigations indicate that Rainford reported to his family members that he was feeling weak. He slept and was reportedly failing to wake up until his condition got worse on March 8, 2024. Around 20:00 hours, He was rushed to Kanyama Level One Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.
The deceased was buried on Sunday, March 10, 2024 after postmortem examination was conducted at the University Teaching Hospital.
Police investigations further revealed that Sanford Mumba also died on March 8, 2024 and preliminary postmortem results for both indicate that they died due to poisoning.
Samples were collected and subjected to further Forensic examinations.
Further investigations have revealed that the said beer is produced within Kanyama compound and investigations have been intensified to establish the source.
Danny Mwale
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer
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