24 dead, no answers

Food poisoning continues to plague Kavango East, with residents growing increasingly frustrated over the lack of transparency from authorities regarding the outcomes of tests conducted into the deaths of 24 people in separate incidents over the past two years.Many others have narrowly survived similar incidents. Despite the gravity of these tragedies, authorities have yet to release official reports, prompting accusations of concealment from concerned citizens and officials alike.Efforts by Namibian Sun to obtain statements from the gender equality, poverty eradication and child welfare ministry and the health and social services ministry have proven futile, with both entities remaining silent on the causes of these deaths.The most recent food poisoning incident occurred last week at Kashira village, where six minors, aged between six and nine years, were hospitalised after consuming mushrooms.Deadly games Police Deputy Commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu, head of crime investigations in the region, confirmed the incident. According to Kanyetu, the children, from five different households, were playing in the bushes near their homes when they ate wild mushrooms. Shortly after returning home, some began vomiting and feeling weak.“A piece of the mushroom was recovered from the children and handed to medical staff to assist in their treatment,” Kanyetu said. The minors were taken to Nyangana Hospital, where they are reportedly stable and expected to be discharged.Speaking to Eagle FM, Wayera Djami, the grandmother of three of the victims said she had never seen her grandchildren “so weak and close to death”.“I immediately called for an ambulance and tried to replace the fluids they lost with water, salt, cooking oil and milk,” she said. “Children are curious and play with anything. From now on, I will supervise them to ensure they don’t eat anything unsafe,” she added.Officials remain mum In February last year, three minors in Livayi village, Kavango West, succumbed to suspected food poisoning after consuming mutete and porridge, followed by milk. Despite the severity of the incident, no official report was released by the health ministry, leaving many questions unanswered.Similarly, in June, a three-year-old named Helena Maliro died at Nyangana District Hospital, while five others were hospitalised after consuming cassava, a plant known to be toxic if improperly prepared. Constituency councillor Michael Kapota confirmed the incident, stating that those hospitalised had since been discharged.Kavango East’s regional health director, Idah Mendai, told Namibian Sun then that a report on Maliro’s death was submitted to executive director at the ministry, Ben Nangombe. However, the report did not specify the cause of death and has not been made public.The unexplained deaths of a family of 15 in Kavango East last year remain unresolved. During a national budget session last year, National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) secretary general Josef Kauandenge criticised the gender ministry for withholding laboratory test results. “It is high time this report is made public so the departed souls can rest in peace,” Kauandenge said. He also questioned what measures the ministry has taken to prevent future tragedies and ensure food safety in the region.Kauandenge urged gender minister Doreen Sioka to release the report, saying that transparency is crucial to providing closure and preventing further loss of life.nikanor@erongo.com.na

24 dead, no answers

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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24 dead, no answers

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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