Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Eliaser Ndeyanale
Published on 2024-03-07 17:00:00
Ndiyona constituency councillor Laurentius Mukoya is calling for a thorough investigation into a series of deaths due to food poisoning that have occurred in the Ndiyona constituency in recent years. The latest incident, which took place on 27 February, resulted in the death of four people from the same family at Livayi village in the Kavango East region. These individuals died after consuming traditional food that was suspected to be poisonous. The family members, aged between one year and 13 years, passed away between 27 February and 1 March.
This tragic event follows two similar incidents at Kayova and Korokoko villages, also in the Ndiyona constituency. Sixteen people from the same homestead died at Kayova village in May 2023, while four children died at Korokoko village in January 2021. The regional police have indicated that all three incidents involved the consumption of potentially poisonous traditional meals.
Councillor Mukoya emphasized the need for answers and expressed his intention to hold community meetings to address the issue and mobilize residents. He questioned why only people from the same family died if the problem originated from drought-relief food they received. A regional meeting is scheduled for 4 and 5 April to discuss the matter further.
With the previous incidents, the region was not informed of the type of poison responsible for the deaths. However, death certificates indicated poison as the cause of death. In the recent Livayi deaths, a family reportedly consumed mutete and porridge for both lunch and dinner, resulting in the death of four children and the hospitalization of four others who are now in stable condition.
Acting Kavango East regional police commander Eino Nambahu and regional health director Idah Mendai provided details on the incident. Mendai stressed the need for a full assessment of all three incidents to better understand and address the recurring issue.
To prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo recommended that regional councillors organize community meetings to raise awareness about food safety. Wakudumo highlighted the importance of proper food preparation and supervision, especially when minors are involved in food preparation.
Minister of defence and veterans affairs Frans Kapofi previously stated that the incident at Kayova village could have been prevented if the regional government had fulfilled its responsibilities. He emphasized the government’s role in assisting the needy and urged leaders to notify the government promptly of any pressing issues in the community.
In conclusion, the string of food poisoning deaths in the Ndiyona constituency is a concerning pattern that requires thorough investigation and community awareness to prevent further tragedies. The regional authorities and leaders must work together to identify the cause of these incidents and take necessary measures to ensure food safety for all residents.
Read the original article on The Namibian
