Second Suspected Poisoning Incident in January Hits Nzinze Village again as Seven Children Are Hospitalised
By TUW
Authorities in the Kavango West Region have launched an investigation into a suspected poisoning incident after several children from Nzinze village were admitted to hospital.
The incident occurred on 17 January 2026 in the Musese Constituency and involved seven children from different households, aged between three and ten years.
According to Kavango West Regional Police Commissioner Julia Sakuwa-Neo, the children reportedly ate the berries from a tree in the village during the day and later became ill that same night.
All seven children were rushed to Nankudu State Hospital for medical treatment. Four were admitted at the facility, while three others were transferred to Rundu State Hospital for further care.
The three children treated at Rundu State Hospital were discharged on 19 January 2026 after their conditions improved, while the remaining patients continued to receive treatment at Nankudu.
.Preliminary investigations have identified the suspected plant as Jatropha curcas, which contains curcin, a toxic substance known to cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and poisoning, particularly in children
This is the second such incident reported in the village, following an earlier case that claimed the lives of three people from the same community.
Police confirmed that samples of the plant were collected and will be submitted to the National Plant and Food Safety Inspectorate for laboratory analysis. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
