Councillor suspects foul play in latest Kavango food poisoning tragedy

Ncuncuni constituency councillor Leopoldine Nseu has called for an investigation into what she believes could be a deliberate act of poisoning rather than a mere food safety mishap that killed two children and left another in hospital.Two children, 10-year-old Kasera Andreas and 15-year-old Kasera Joseph, from Sharukwe village in Kavango West, died after eating pounded drought relief maize meal and fresh beans harvested from their field on 1 May.Another child, 13-year-old Andreas Peter Chilemo, and the children’s father, Kasera Andreas (48), remain in critical condition in the intensive care unit at the Rundu State Hospital.The mother, Musongo Engelbertha, and the youngest child, Regina Nduva, have since been discharged.Speaking to Namibian Sun on Monday, Nseu pointed to the likelihood of a deliberate act as the root cause of the tragedy.“It might be people trying to poison others or to get rid of others. Many families receive drought relief maize meal and eat beans from their fields without falling ill. Why now, and why this particular family?” she asked.Family of six fall ill Regional police commander Commissioner Julia Sakuwa-Neo said the family ate a meal made from sieved and pounded drought relief maize meal and fresh beans harvested from their field.Sakuwa-Neo further said all six family members began experiencing severe stomach pain and were rushed to Rundu State Hospital.Preliminary police investigations suggest the children removed coarse grains from the maize meal, soaked and dried them, and later pounded the grains into fine powder to prepare pap.The beans were cooked separately.Nseu said this method, common in many households, has not previously resulted in similar illness.“Even if we raise awareness, we still don’t know if this is food poisoning. There’s no lab result confirming they were poisoned. It’s just alleged,” she said.The councillor also cautioned residents about food safety and hygiene.“Make sure the plates you use are clean. Be careful when borrowing utensils from neighbours, you don’t know what they were last used for or what chemicals may have touched them,” she added.Investigation underwayChief medical officer Dr Medson Chibwe, who is overseeing the treatment of the survivors, confirmed yesterday that the father and son are still in intensive care.“They are receiving all the necessary care that they require,” he said.Police have opened an inquest docket, and investigations are ongoing.Samples have been collected from the victims’ homes for further analysis.This is the second reported food-poisoning-related incident in Sharukwe village this year.Nseu is concerned that the region is gaining an unfortunate reputation for food poisoning cases and called for urgent clarity on what is behind these incidents.Efforts to speak directly with the affected family for further insight were unsuccessful at publication.

Councillor suspects foul play in latest Kavango food poisoning tragedy

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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Councillor suspects foul play in latest Kavango food poisoning tragedy

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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