18 poisoned in Zhombe

Sunday Mail Reporter
A minor has died while 17 people have been hospitalised and are in critical condition after drinking a traditional brew —maheu — which is suspected to have been laced with poison in Zhombe, Midlands Province.
Midlands’s police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko said they are investigating the case which occurred at Mr Kofi Mpofu’s homestead under Chief Malisa, headman Nduku area.
Among the hospitalised is the homestead owner.
“We are trying to track down circumstances surrounding the apparent deliberate poisoning of 18 people in Zhombe last week.
“I can confirm that one minor died and 17 others are still admitted at Kwekwe General Hospital in critical condition following the suspected poisoning,” Inspector Goko said.
Information gathered by The Sunday Mail indicates that the affected drank the traditional brew at Mr Mpofu’s homestead where they had taken a rest as they came from a development meeting for the area.
Within minutes, the victims started complaining of severe stomach pains before being taken to a local clinic where their condition continued to deteriorate. They were then referred to Kwekwe General Hospital.
The minor is said to have died upon admission at Kwekwe General Hospital and the body was taken for a post-mortem.
Results of the autopsy were not yet available by last night.