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The Ministry of Health has told the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court that no Zambian has died from consuming maize contaminated with aflatoxin, despite public claims to the contrary.
Director for Clinical Care and Diagnostics, Dr. Lisulo Walubita, testified that his office, which oversees hospital services, pharmaceutical products, and laboratory standards nationwide, had not received any reports of fatalities linked to aflatoxin poisoning.
Dr. Walubita was testifying in a case where Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General, Raphael Nakachinda, is facing a charge of seditious practices. Nakachinda is accused of alleging that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government was committing “genocide” by importing mealie meal and maize contaminated with aflatoxins, which he claimed had caused the deaths of dogs and an unspecified number of Zambians.
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The witness said he only became aware of the allegations when two officers visited his office last August and inquired whether the ministry had received any death reports relating to aflatoxin-contaminated maize.
“I told them that we had not received any record of such deaths,” Dr. Walubita testified.
He said routine surveillance systems were in place to capture medical emergencies and disease outbreaks, but no alerts had been raised in this regard.
Dr. Walubita explained that aflatoxin poisoning in humans can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, liver failure, or, in the long term, liver cancer.
However, not every person who consumes contaminated food automatically develops symptoms, as outcomes depend on individual health status.
“Animals, on the other hand, cannot tolerate even small amounts and may die quickly,” he added.
During cross-examination, Dr. Walubita admitted that he had not conducted any investigations himself but had checked with hospitals to confirm whether any patients had presented with symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning.
“There were no such reports,” he said.
He further told the court that he first saw an online video alleging deaths from contaminated maize when it was shown to him by investigators.
Asked whether Nakachinda incited citizens to rise or protest in that video, Dr. Walubita responded: “I can’t recall.”
The defence also questioned him about reports that six dogs belonging to MP Sunday Chanda had died after consuming the alleged contaminated maize, but the witness said he was unaware of the matter.
He confirmed that he had not produced any post-mortem results in connection with suspected aflatoxin-related deaths.
The trial continues on September 30, 2025.
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