Sundaymail Editor
A SIX-YEAR-OLD Nyanyadzi girl died a painful death recently after her uncle allegedly scalded her with boiling water in a shocking act of brutality fuelled by a long-standing grudge.
The suspect, Phibeon Siduna (32), spent close to two years in jail at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison for attempting to kill the same girl in 2022.
The latest horrific incident, which happened on November 27, leading to the victim’s death the following day at Birchenough Bridge Hospital, reignited anger and fear among grieving relatives and the community, querying why the suspect was reintegrated into the family upon his return from prison.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed Michelle Magwera’s death after being scalded.
“The victim was at home with her uncle, Phibeon Siduna, and her grandmother, Miriam Chihwite, when the former came out of the kitchen holding a bucket of hot water.
“The victim was entering the kitchen, and they collided, leading to the hot water splashing on the minor’s body. Michelle was taken to hospital where she died the following day. Chihwite made a police report two days after the girl’s death as they wanted to collect a burial order,” he said.
However, some grieving family members vehemently rejected the version of events reported to the police, hinging their argument on a witness account by Michelle’s 12-year-old brother.
The family members accused Chihwite, who made the belated report to the police, of twisting facts in order to protect Siduna, who apart from being her biological son, is no stranger to violence.
In 2017, he fatally pelted his father with a stone at the same homestead, and although Siduna was arrested and jailed, he was later released from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in 2019, having been deemed mentally unfit to stand trial. Hardly three years after his release, Siduna was arrested again in 2022 for attempting to kill Michelle.
He was released in April this year after spending nearly two years in jail.
Since his return, Siduna allegedly escalated his violent behaviour towards Michelle, culminating in the latest tragedy.
When The Manica Post visited the deceased’s homestead in Matiashe village recently, the air was thick with sorrow, with shocked villagers standing in small groups, trying to make sense of the heinous act. The family grief was amplified by anger over what they allege as “a series of” systemic failures that allowed a known violent killer back into their lives.
The horrific incident allegedly unfolded in the eyes of Michelle’s brother, who was in a makeshift kitchen, studying.
The boiling water was on the kitchen fire.
The boy, who was visibly traumatised, recounted the horror moment.
“We were studying with our heads bowed. We did not see him picking up the pot of water. Suddenly, I saw him pouring water on my sister, who screamed for help. I grabbed her and jumped out through the window as he was blocking the doorway. He was just standing there menacingly staring at Michelle,” he said, breaking down into tears.
He said Siduna never hid his dislike for Michelle ever since he came back from prison. He allegedly accused her of causing his imprisonment. Michelle was rushed to Birchenough Bridge Hospital, where she succumbed to the severe burnt wounds the following day, leaving family members grappling with profound grief and fury.
The deceased’s granny, Mrs Miriam Chihwite, who was bathing when the attack occurred, said Siduna has always been violent and dangerous.
“I do not know what really happened, but this is not the first time he has done something like this. He killed his father in 2017, and they released him from jail saying he was mentally ill. Upon his release, he attacked and nearly killed Michelle in 2022. They arrested him for attempted murder, but they released him again in April. Since then, he has been trying to kill me on several occasions,” she said sobbing.
Mrs Chihwite said Siduna openly resented Michelle.
“When I rushed with the victim to the hospital, he remained behind, telling neighbours that he despised Michelle for causing his imprisonment. He was always hostile towards her, and we always feared something heinous would happen,” she said.
The girl’s mother, Ms Sarah Siduna, who was in South Africa when the incident happened, expressed rage and demanded justice.
“Why do they continue releasing a convicted killer?
“He killed our father, and now my daughter, and he is still walking scot-free. I approached the police after the funeral, asking why my brother was not arrested.
“I did not know that my mother had lied to the police in a bid to save him. They dragged their feet to make a police report.”
My son was there to tell them what happened because he witnessed it, but they still did not act, believing my mother more than my son, who is a minor. Do they want all of us to die first before acting? Phibeon is still to be arrested, yet he killed my daughter,” she said.
In a moment of raw anger, Ms Siduna admitted confronting her brother after the funeral.
“I attacked him because I could not take it anymore. He ran away, and we heard he is in Mutare. Why are the police letting a killer roam scot-free? What will it take for them to act? Do they want us all dead first? They told us that we should take him to traditional healer, is that justice?” she charged.- Manica Post
Online Reporter