Poisonous traditional brew kills three in Northern Tanzania
Three people have died after gulping down some mysterious drink believed to be an intoxicated traditional beer which was supplied in the Bashnet Village of Babati District, Manyara Region.
Reports from Manyara say the local police in the region were still investigating the incident.
The three dead victims were identified as Samwel Madai Amsi aged 42, Hao Bado (59) and Paulina Nada Yaho (43) all being villagers of Bashnet, in Babati District.
It seems the trio died at different times from January 31 to February 2025, but the main cause of their deaths has been filtered down to the local beer or gin which is suspected to have been made from intoxicants by unknown people.
The Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Ahmed Karani, said they have been compelled to prevent the burial of the dead victims because the actual causes of their demise were still conflicted.
Karani, who also serves the Manyara Regional Police Commander, said his force was waiting for a post-mortem report by medical experts for further steps to be taken.
“So far what people claim here is that the victims drank poisonous brews, but we cannot be so sure until samples of the brew have also been taken to the chemist and the victims’ bodies also examined before the police could reach a conclusion,” said Commander Karani.
On her part, the Babati District Commissioner, Emmanuala Kaganda said it was the first time such an incident is occurring within the precinct and there are people who suspect murder, but should this be the case then the government will act accordingly.
Veronica Daniel is the wife of one of the deceased, Samweli Amsi who recalls that her husband had gone out for a drink as usual, then returned late in the night and went straight to bed.
The following day, February 1, 2025 she left to go farming and when she returned home later, her husband was wriggling on the floor, complaining of serious stomach pains as well as headaches.
“He then started vomiting profusely upon which we carried him to hospital but died shortly after being admitted there,” the wife stated.
The Chairperson of Bashnet Village Samueli Manda explained that he also received reports from the family of another victim, Paulina Nada who was also said to be seriously ill after taking the local brew from a nearby outfit.
“She also died while on the way to hospital but as Paulina’s body was being carried to the morgue, another elderly person who also took the drink, was being delivered at the health center already dead,” said the local leaders.
But where did the deadly drink come from? One of the village officials, Agripina Tango explained that some traders have been supplying such brews on door-to-door arrangements, but the sources of brewers remain a mystery.