Youths in North die after drinking home brew

POLICE at Outapi, in the Omusati Region, are probing the death of two brothers who lost their lives after drinking a traditional home brew, omalovu, on Thursday.

Six other villagers were admitted to the Outapi Hospital after reportedly consuming the potent brew. The two young men were identified as Fabianus Alweendo Shilumbu (21), who was a Grade 11 pupil at Iipumbu Senior Secondary School at Oshakati, and his 19-year-old brother, Immanuel Shilumbu.One villager told The Namibian at the weekend that about 10 people gathered at tate Fabianus Shikokola’s place at Epoko village, to help him build his new hut.Tradition dictates that at such a gathering the host has to brew omalovu for his neighbours to quench their thirst after the hard work.Tate Shikokola did what was expected of him.But soon after consuming the brew, villagers started complaining of stomach pains and began vomiting.The two brothers died soon afterwards, while the other villagers were admitted to the Outapi District Hospital.The incident has sent shockwaves through the Epoko community which has urged the Police to thoroughly investigate the incident.The two young men were identified as Fabianus Alweendo Shilumbu (21), who was a Grade 11 pupil at Iipumbu Senior Secondary School at Oshakati, and his 19-year-old brother, Immanuel Shilumbu.One villager told The Namibian at the weekend that about 10 people gathered at tate Fabianus Shikokola’s place at Epoko village, to help him build his new hut.Tradition dictates that at such a gathering the host has to brew omalovu for his neighbours to quench their thirst after the hard work.Tate Shikokola did what was expected of him.But soon after consuming the brew, villagers started complaining of stomach pains and began vomiting.The two brothers died soon afterwards, while the other villagers were admitted to the Outapi District Hospital.The incident has sent shockwaves through the Epoko community which has urged the Police to thoroughly investigate the incident.