The Government has outlawed the production of dangerous, unregulated alcoholic concoctions popularly known as musombodhiya or kambwa.
The ban comes under Statutory Instrument 62 of 2025, issued through the Harmful Liquids Act by the Minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe.
Formally titled the Harmful Liquids Act (Amendment of Schedule to Act) Notice, 2025, the move is meant to curb the spread of toxic brews that have long posed serious health risks in communities across the country.
Musombodhiya is a highly dangerous, illicit alcoholic brew laced with ethanol. Typically produced in backyards or informal settings, it’s made by mixing industrial-grade ethanol with a range of additives, resulting in a drink that’s both extremely potent and potentially lethal.
Despite the risks, musombodhiya has found a foothold in low-income communities, largely due to its low cost.
However, its consumption has been linked to a rise in serious health complications, aggressive behaviour, and, in some tragic cases, death.
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