Thu, 26 Jan 2017 09:17:32 +0000
By KALOBWE BWALYA
TWO juveniles of Lusaka’s Matero Township on Tuesday night died after consuming Doom which was allegedly given by their mother.
Police spokesperson Esther Katongo said the children died on the way to Chingwere First Level Hospital between 19: 00 and 20:00 hours in Matero after they were made to drink juice laced with pesticide called doom by their mother.
The woman of Matero Township is now battling for her life after she attempted to commit suicide by drinking the same doom she had given to her children.
The woman only identified as Miriam Mulenga 32 is alleged to have drunk doom after she failed to cope with her highly financially indebted situation.
Neighbours to Ms Mulenga have alleged that the woman tried to kill herself because she had too much debt which she was unable to settle.
Mr Charles Daka a neighbour to Ms Mulenga explained that the woman was in too much debt which she failed to pay and hence resorting to taking her own life and that of her there kids.
Mr Daka said that Ms Mulenga is a business woman who owns a stand at city market stating that her business was also going down.
He said Ms Mulenga is married with three kids two of whom died from the doom she had given to them.
Meanwhile, Ms Katongo said the victims had been identified as Mwenchi Nakazwe aged five years and Dason Sikazwe aged one year nine months while the mother who later consumed the same substance had been identified as Miriam Mulenga aged 32 years.
The reason for the mother’s actions was not yet known. She said the bodies of the deceased persons were in UTH mortuary while the suspect, who is the mother to the deceased juveniles, was in critical condition and admitted to the UTH.
And Ms Katongo disclosed that a male juvenile aged 8 years of Chainda compound was attacked by unknown people in Ibex hill area and cut his throat using a knife.
Ms Katongo said the attempted murder happened on 22nd January, 2017 around 20:40 hours in Ibex Hill and the victim was found by a passerby who upon interviewing him, narrated that he was attacked by unknown people who cut him on the throat using a knife.
“The victim was rushed to Levy Mwanawasa Hospital where he is admitted and was later identified by his father as Gift Mumba aged 8 years of Chainda compound. “We have since apprehended one person in connection with the attempted murder and we are yet to conduct an identification parade once the victim, who is still in Hospital but in a stable condition, is discharged,” she said.
