Illicit Whisky Kills Man in Broad Daylight at Chinhoyi Rank

CHINHOYI – A 37-year-old man collapsed and died in front of stunned witnesses on Saturday morning after consuming five bottles of undiluted illicit alcohol during a reckless drinking challenge at Pamukoto, a hotspot near the Main Rank Bus terminus.

The man, identified as Darlington Willard, had only gone to buy cigarettes — but left in a pushcart, lifeless, after accepting a dare to drink the lethal brew known as “Hudson.”

According to a relative who spoke to H-Metro, Willard was approached by another patron who challenged him to drink the unregulated whisky.

“There was a guy who challenged him to drink the ‘whisky’ and he paid five dollars for the ‘whisky.

“He ended up drinking five bottles, including three that were not diluted,” the relative said.

After consuming the toxic brew, Willard was offered a Black Label quart, which he declined and moments later, he collapsed.

Witnesses attempted to revive him using fresh milk, a common but medically unproven remedy for alcohol poisoning.

“They tried to give him fresh milk, but it was to no avail,” the relative added.

With no money for transport, bystanders placed Willard in a pushcart and rushed him to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital.

His younger brother, Willard Machemba, was the first family member to arrive at the scene and accompanied him to the hospital.

“He abused the ‘whisky’ without any dilution. He was buried yesterday here in Chinhoyi,” said Machemba.

Family members revealed that this was not Willard’s first encounter with the dangerous brew.

On a previous occasion, he had consumed four bottles of undiluted Hudson and was hospitalized.

“The last time the deceased once drank four bottles of undiluted ‘whisky’ and later woke up at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital,” the relative recalled.

The incident has sparked outrage among Chinhoyi residents, who are calling for a crackdown on the sale of illicit alcohol.

George Karinga, a concerned local, said:

“Makrango apedza vanhu munyika. Mapurisa sungai vanhu. Drugs netumbwa zviri kutishaisa mufaro.”

Community members say the streets are flooded with cheap, toxic brews that continue to claim lives.

They are urging authorities to take immediate action against vendors selling unregulated alcohol and to launch awareness campaigns to prevent further tragedies.