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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu,Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
A NINE-MONTH old baby girl in Beitbridge, caught up in her parents’ domestic feud, was burnt beyond recognition after the father went berserk and torched their house before he fled from the scene.
The man, Gibson Chidzanga (33) of Dulivhadzimu, had a domestic feud with his wife. Chidzanga is on the run and police have since launched a manhunt.
Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Thandolwenkosi Moyo said the incident occurred on Tuesday.
The suspect had a long standing dispute with his wife, Ms Thabani Sibanda. On that particular day, the couple had a fight over a text message during which Ms Sibanda fled from their house leaving their daughter behind.
“The suspect had a misunderstanding with his wife after Ms Sibanda received a text message from a male workmate who had requested her to bring empty buckets to work to fetch water. Chidzanga who was drunk then stabbed his wife with a knife on the wrist during an argument and she fled,” said Asst Insp Moyo.
The suspect threatened to kill his wife and their two children after which he would then commit suicide.
“The suspect grabbed their nine-month-old baby from his wife, took a gas cylinder and went into their bedroom,” Asst Insp Moyo said.
Fearing for her life, Ms Sibanda stormed out of the house, leaving their nine-month-old baby at the mercy of the suspect.
The suspect opened the gas cylinder before he set their bedroom on fire and bolted out leaving his daughter inside the burning room.
Neighbours unsuccessfully tried to put out the fire to save the baby who was burnt beyond recognition.
Asst Insp Moyo said Chidzanga is on the run and appealed to members of the public to assist with information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest.
“We would to appeal to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect to contact any nearest police station. As police, we also urged people to desist from engaging in violence whenever they have a misunderstanding,” said the police spokesperson. “What is unfortunate in this case is that an innocent life of a nine-month-old baby was lost. People should seek counselling and engage third parties so that their disputes are resolved amicably.”
Meanwhile, in another incident, a one-year-old baby drowned in a bucket of water.
Asst Insp Moyo said the incident occurred on Monday in Guyu area in Gwanda District.
He said the baby had been left by her mother under the care of its father. The baby crawled out of the house and plunged into a 20-litre bucket full of water and drowned.
“As police we urge parents and guardians to monitor their minor children to avoid the recurrence of such incidents where lives are unnecessarily lost,” said Asst Insp Moyo. — @DubeMatutu.
Online Reporter