THE FAMILY of three children who died in Lusaka’s Kabanana Compound, after consuming a home-prepared meal suspected to have been contaminated have moved the funeral to Kabanana main Seventh Day Adventist Church, reports ZNBC.
The victims, namely, Getrude Sibongile Mutombeni, aged one, Royd Mutombeni, six and Bongani Mutombeni, eight, fell ill after eating nshima, chibwabwa (pumpkin leaves), soya pieces and sour milk prepared by their parents.
According to police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi, the family was taken to Chipata First Level One Hospital, where the condition of the first child deteriorated and she was later pronounced dead.
The remaining five family members were referred to Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital, where two more children died in the following 24 hours.
Chilabi said the parents were treated and discharged after their conditions were found to be stable.
“The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital and University Teaching Hospital, where post-mortem examinations will establish the exact cause of death,” Chilabi stated.
Authorities have since launched an investigation into the incident.
Chilabi said the suspected food poisoning occurred between 3 and 5 January 2026 and that inquiries are ongoing.
By George Musonda
Kalemba, January 6, 2026
