Vusumuzi Dube
Faith Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
A 24-YEAR-OLD man from Shurugwi, Midlands province, has appeared in court accused of murdering his three-month-old step-daughter.
According to a statement by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, (NPAZ), Tatenda Masunda appeared before the Shurugwi Magistrates’ Court.
He was remanded in custody to 21 November 2024 pending further investigations.
“The State alleges that on the 3rd of November 2024, at around 5 am, the accused person stopped the infant’s mother from taking the baby with her to a nearby borehole where she intended to do the laundry,” reads the statement.
The NPAZ said he then retrieved a poisonous substance, commonly used in gold purification, which he had hidden in the yard and fed it to infant.
“The accused person later brought the visibly distressed and crying infant to the mother, she rushed the infant to Zvamabande Hospital. She was referred to Shurugwi District Hospital, where the baby was pronounced dead upon arrival,” said the NPAZ.
The accused person fled to Chegutu, where he was arrested on the 5th of November 2024.
Online Reporter