Online Reporter
A self-styled prophetess was arrested in Harare after a home birth ended in the tragic death of a 36-year-old woman and the discovery of a bucket containing human body parts.
Rumbidzayi Sanyamvura, popularly known as Madzimai Rumbi, is a well-known spiritual figure in Glen Norah.
She was recently approached by a woman identified as Ms Misoya, who sought assistance to deliver her baby.
Ms Misoya died shortly after giving birth at Madzimai Rumbi’s residence.
A post-mortem conducted at the Sally Mugabe Central Hospital confirmed that she succumbed to complications related to high blood pressure.
Police were alerted of the incident on a Saturday.
Upon arrival, Madzimai Rumbi reportedly presented a bucket containing body parts — including teeth, intestine, umbilical cord and blood — which she claimed belonged to the deceased.
She was immediately arrested.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the arrest.
Ms Misoya’s burial has since been halted pending further investigations.
Both the corpse and bucket containing the body parts have been returned to the Sally Mugabe Central Hospital for further examination and DNA testing. — Harare Bureau
******
Insuza man torches child, smashes granny with brick
An Insuza man recently went on a rampage, burning his four-year-old stepdaughter with hot charcoal and assaulting his mother-in-law with a brick, leaving her with a fractured arm.
Clement Donga (39) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Abednico Ncube facing three counts under the Domestic Violence Act.
Although he denied all the charges, the evidence was overwhelming, and he was convicted.
The court heard how Donga seemed to take pleasure in assaulting his mother-in-law, never missing an opportunity to attack her whenever he visited her homestead.
The three counts were treated as one for sentencing.
Donga was slapped with a 13-year prison sentence.
However, three years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, meaning he will effectively serve 10 years.
In handing down the sentence, the magistrate described Donga as a barbarian in need of incarceration and rehabilitation.
He called him a dangerous brute who terrorised his own family.
“This was a callous and cruel attack. If the neighbours had not intervened, you could have killed both your mother-in-law and the child,” said the magistrate.
“You must be sent to jail to be rehabilitated and reformed.”
The court heard that in February, Donga stormed his in-laws’ homestead demanding to see his then-wife, Tryphine Ndlovu.
When he was told that she was not home, he flew into a rage and assaulted his mother-in-law, Rosemary Mhlanga.
Out of fear, she did not report the attack to the police.
On March 24, Donga returned at night and violently banged on the door.
When no one responded, he grabbed a dish of burning charcoal and hurled it into the bedroom where Rosemary and her granddaughter were sleeping.
The red-hot coals landed on the little girl’s face, leaving her badly burnt.
The nightmare continued on July 10 when Donga showed up again demanding to see Tryphine.
When Rosemary told him she was away, he went berserk.
He picked up a brick and repeatedly struck her, fracturing her arm before neighbours rushed in to save her.
This time, the terrified grandmother reported the attacks to the police, leading to Donga’s arrest.
Justice finally caught up with the violent ex-husband, ending a reign of terror that left a family traumatised and a community in shock. — B-Metro
******
Prosecutor, lawyer arrested over rape case scandal
A prosecutor and lawyer are facing serious charges after allegedly tampering with evidence in a case involving the rape of a 13-year-old girl in Chipinge.
Mutare public prosecutor Timothy Katsande (34) and lawyer Benjamin Basikiti (35) stand accused of drafting and submitting a false statement of agreed facts intended to mislead the court.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the pair conspired to portray the minor and the accused rapist as being in a consensual relationship and unrelated — despite clear evidence to the contrary.
“This deception led the perpetrator to plead guilty to a lesser offence of sexual intercourse with a minor,” read part of the NPAZ statement.
As a result, the accused received a lighter sentence of 36 months’ imprisonment, part of which was suspended.
The NPAZ confirmed that the Mutare Magistrates’ Court has ruled that Katsande and Basikiti have a case to answer, dismissing their application for discharge at the close of the State’s case.
The matter was moved to a later date for the defence case.
In a stern warning, the NPAZ added: “Tampering with justice in sexual abuse cases is a grave betrayal of victims and society.” — Manicaland Bureau
******
Drunk dad strips naked in front of his daughter
A man who allegedly came home intoxicated, stripped naked in front of his 16-year-old stepdaughter and assaulted his wife after accusing her of infidelity has appeared in court.
Celimpilo Sibanda (46), from Aisleby Farm in Umguza, on the outskirts of Bulawayo, pleaded not guilty to charges of public indecency and physical abuse before Bulawayo magistrate Itai Kagwere.
In his defence, Sibanda claimed he was not on good terms with his wife and alleged she had influenced his stepdaughter to fabricate the story in order to have him arrested.
“Your Worship, this woman is lying through her teeth. There is no truth in what she has said. She made up the story and convinced our child to lie so I would be arrested and locked up,” he said.
“The truth is, after I found out she was cheating on me, I confronted her to resolve the issue, but she shouted at me. I beat her out of anger.”
Sibanda was granted US$100 bail.
The court heard that on an unspecified date in August, Sibanda allegedly undressed in front of his stepdaughter and exposed himself, leaving the girl shocked and traumatised.
On August 15, Sibanda reportedly confronted his wife, Moreblessing Moyo, again accusing her of infidelity.
Tempers flared and he allegedly punched and kicked her repeatedly.
Moyo sustained multiple injuries, including a swollen face. — Bulawayo Bureau
