Festus Hamalwa
The health director in the Otjozondjupa region, Gerbardo Timotheus, said 26 Otavi residents were discharged from hospital following treatment after eating poisoned zebra meat bought from the street.
He told New Era that no death has been recorded, and an elderly woman who was reportedly in critical condition on the first day has completely recovered.
“I am not sure whether the meat was
poisoned or not, but this information was given to the nurses on duty. Later, it was reported to my office,” he added.
Timotheus said the selling of meat obtained from surrounding farms is very common in
Otavi. It was reported that moments after consuming the dried uncooked meat, most of the buyers complained of feeling nauseous,
which was followed by vomiting and diarrhoea, landing them all in hospital.
Timotheus thus urged the public to be more vigilant when buying meat from the street because it is very risky, as people sell meat from an animal that could have died naturally or from an unknown disease.
“People should buy meat from a reliable source,” he added.
Also speaking to this publication was Otjozondjupa police spokesperson Inspector Maureen Mbeha, who said the zebra died a
natural death and started to rot, hence the
reaction of the bellies of those who ate the meat.
Mbeha added that no arrest has been made, as no case has been opened.