A one-year-old child has died in Chilanga District after allegedly undergoing a tongue-tie cutting procedure at a private residence, prompting the Zambia Police Service to launch investigations into a case of manslaughter.
According to a police press statement issued on September 26, 2026, the child has been identified as Clifford Muleya, who reportedly died after an alleged procedure intended to treat a condition locally known as “akalimba.”
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that on September 25, 2026, at around 17:00 hours, Clifford was taken by his 27-year-old mother, Loveness Ngandu, to the house of Enn Pitrosi, aged 98, in the Chipapa area of Chilanga.
The mother reportedly suspected that the child had a tongue-tie condition and took him to Pitrosi’s residence for assistance.
Police said the suspected tongue-tie was allegedly cut by Pitrosi using a finger during the procedure. The child reportedly sustained an injury inside his mouth, resulting in bleeding.
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According to the police, the child later became weak and was rushed to Kazionele Clinic, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The matter was reported to Chilanga Police Station at around 18:00 hours on September 25, after which police officers visited and processed the scene.
The child’s body was subsequently taken to the University Teaching Hospital Mortuary, where it is currently lying pending a postmortem examination.
Police said Pitrosi has been detained in custody and that a warn-and-caution statement has been recorded from her as investigations continue.
The Zambia Police Service has urged parents and guardians to seek professional medical care from qualified healthcare practitioners whenever children require medical attention, warning against allowing unqualified individuals to perform medical procedures.
The warning comes just days after police reported a similar incident in Chingola on September 22, 2026, in which an eight-month-old child reportedly died following an alleged tongue-tie cutting procedure.
The latest incident has raised renewed concerns about the risks associated with children undergoing medical procedures outside qualified healthcare facilities.
Police have stressed that investigations into the Chilanga case are still ongoing, and the postmortem examination is expected to provide further information regarding the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
The Zambia Police Service said it will provide further updates as investigations progress.
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