Police worried by increase in murdered children

Talent Gore

POLICE are worried by the increase in murder and attempted murder cases involving children.

In a statement, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said two women were arrested in separate incidents in Buhera and Lupane on allegations of killing their children aged two-months and seven weeks respectively.

Mary Rukobo, 24, of Buhera is also accused of injuring her other child aged two years.

“Police in Muzokomba have arrested Mary Rukobo in connection with a case of murder which occurred on January 19, this year at Mashangana Village, Buhera. The suspect allegedly confessed to some villagers that she crashed the heads of her two children against a rock several times during a prayer session after hearing a voice (instructing her) to kill both children.

“One of the children, Calvin Maputsa (two months) sustained head injuries and died on the spot, while the other, who is two-years-old, sustained a swollen head and was admitted to Murambinda Mission Hospital.

“Police in Lupane arrested Gugulethu Khumalo, 18, in connection with a case of infanticide in which the suspect’s baby girl (seven weeks) was found dead with froth coming from the nose, in a bedroom hut last Thursday at Tshongogwana Village. Two hammers were found on top of blankets next to the body,” he said.

Meanwhile, a 41-year-old man was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife in Eiffel Flats, Kadoma, following a misunderstanding with another man over a woman.

The suspect, only identified as Makunda, has gone into hiding, and Ass Comm Nyathi said they had launched a manhunt for him.

“The ZRP is looking for a suspect, Makunda (no further particulars known) in connection with a case of murder which occurred during the late hours of January 22 at Whalley Range Primary School, Eiffel Flats.

“The suspect allegedly stabbed Brighton Munemo aged 41 with a knife on the chest and arm after a misunderstanding over a girlfriend,” he said.