AS A MATTER OF FACT

TWO weeks ago, we published an article in which we reported that a woman was believed to have laced her food with poison in Kuwadzana Extension, Harare, in an incident in which two of her children died,

We reported that the woman Clara Makachemu was battling for her life in hospital.

We reported that her house was filled with smoke, which made it difficult for those who came to try and rescue the family, to execute their mission.

Our report said Makachemu prepared rice for her family and mixed it with a poisonous substance, which was yet to be identified.

The food, according to our report, was served to her four children — Ryan,14, Atidaishe, 10, Atipashe, 8 and Anenyasha, 4.

We reported that she also ate the same rice.

Our article was based on information that we had received from sources.

It has, however, dawned upon us that the information was not correct and, as medical reports from the hospital have since confirmed, Makachemu did not try to commit suicide and did not try to kill her children.

Instead, the tragedy was caused by traces of carbon monoxide.

We have a public duty, as a national publication, to correct our articles on the occasions that they do not meet the standards that we have set for ourselves.

We apologise to Makachemu and her family for the damage which our article caused at a very trying time for them. We understand that she has suffered a lot of trauma, since her release from hospital, because of the contents of our article and we sincerely apologise for that. — Editor.