By Joseph Dumbula
Eight people have died in Malawi’s commercial city of Blantyre while two others are receiving treatment for suspected alcohol poisoning, an incident which drawn calls for authorities to intensify control on consumables.
A statement from the Director of Health and Social Services for the Blantyre District Council, Gift Kawalazira, confirmed the death and said until now, at least two were receiving treatment at the hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
Malawi has been struggling with illicit sale of cheap alcohol mostly consumed by unemployed young men and some minors.
In a quick response to the devastating issue, Southern police department have started arresting unlicensed beer sellers in the city to cease the situation of selling untested beer.
South West Police Region spokesperson Joseph Sauka said police have also launched investigations into the matter.
“Our officers are on the ground to confiscate the alcohol and arrest those doing the illegal business. The operation is targeting the whole region and all those who will be found doing this unauthorized business will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
Several types of cheap beer have been debarred in the past, but authorities have not succeeded in having them completely eliminated from the market.
Following the deaths at the weekend, police said they started a hunt for brewers and sellers of the local brew known by various local names including “take me, Lord”, “stagger” and “monkey killer”.
Until now, Health rights advocates have urged the Malawi Bureau of Standards to begin testing locally brewed alcohol that is not standardized.
The call by George Jobe, a health rights campaigner, faulted the Bureau for not routinely testing locally brewed but non-standardized alcohol, something he feels is putting lives at risk.
Jobe has since advised alcohol consumers to choose alcohol that would not compromise their health
