adminMidlands Bureau
A KWEKWE man suspected to have been drunk allegedly killed his 10- month-old baby while trying to attack his wife with a beer bottle for coming home late. Police said the infant was strapped on its mother’s back when the suspect, Wellington Sibanda (23), struck his daughter with the bottle as he intended to hit his wife, Ms Aisha Khan (18).
The child has been identified as Shalom Sibanda. Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident, which occurred at about 6pm on Monday at Zed Business Centre, Evanhoe 10 Mine on the outskirts of Kwekwe, near Zhombe’s Zororo area.
He said Ms Khan was coming from Kwekwe District Hospital to visit her ill mother in the company of her two brothers when the incident occurred.
“Sibanda was apparently drunk on that day. He was at Zed Business Centre in Kwekwe. On the said date and time, Ms Aisha Khan was coming from Kwekwe District Hospital where she had visited her mother who was ill. She was in the company of her two brothers, a 16-year-old boy and Mr Abdul Khan (20) while on their way home, they passed through Zed Shopping Centre.
“They met Sibanda who was in the company of a friend, Mr Prosper Bhebhe,” he said.
Insp Mahoko said Sibanda questioned his wife why she was coming home late.
“A misunderstanding arose between the two. Angrily, Sibanda tried to hit Ms Khan with the bottle but missed the target and instead struck his daughter on the head. Sibanda fled the scene. Ms Khan, with the assistance of her two brothers ferried the child to Kwekwe District Hospital where she died on admission. The matter was reported to the police who attended to the scene. The police failed to locate the suspect.
Investigations are still in progress,” said Insp Mahoko.
In another incident, a 70-year-old Gokwe woman was struck with an unknown object on the head and died on the spot.
Police said the incident occurred in Mandongwe Village under Chief Chireya’s area on Saturday at about 12 midnight.
Insp Mahoko said Ruramisai Zifungo was asleep in her bedroom hut with her 11-year-old granddaughter.
“One unknown male adult entered the house through the unlocked door.
While inside, the man struck Zifungo on the head and she died on the spot. The woman’s granddaughter was awakened by the noise and screamed for help. The suspect fled the scene and disappeared into the darkness. The matter was reported to the police by neighbours,” he said.
The Midlands police spokesperson said no arrests have been made so far.
Online Reporter