adminOn Thursday morning, the Rwaibva family from Mucheke got the shock of their lives when they found the badly scalded body of their 19-month-old baby, Nokuthula, dumped in their yard a few metres from their house four days after she had gone missing.
The residents who did not have any kind words for the law enforcers said the police could have done better than acting in the manner they did.
It is reported that the late child disappeared on Christmas Day but police details only arrived at the house the following day in the evening, yet a report was made a few minutes after her disappearance.
It is further alleged that when the mother of the late girl, Miss Abigail Bheka together with her unidentified sister, went back to Chesvingo Police post to find out on the progress made as well as providing them with more leads, they were given a cold shoulder by the officer who was manning the charge office.
“When the late girl’s mother and her sister from Harare went to the police base to inquire on the progress made, they were only told that the police had no information of a lost child. The officer said they would inform the family once investigations were complete,” said one resident who declined to be named.
Another resident who said her children were friends to the deceased also deplored the lack of seriousness on the part of the law enforcers when pursuing matters involving missing children.
“In Mucheke, it is not the first time that the police have paid lip service to matters of this nature. Last time a similar incident happened and the body of a missing boy child was picked up by municipal police yet our own police officers were there. Their commitment to duty leaves a lot to be desired.
“We call upon their superiors to monitor their juniors because some officers are not committed to their work. We know that our police officers are efficient in discharging their duties but when it comes to issues of children, they are found wanting,” said another resident.
When contacted for comment on the allegations, Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Tinaye Matake said he could not officially respond to the allegations because it could compromise investigations.
“At present, we are still getting details and compiling information as part of our investigations and if we divulge some of the details now it would be tantamount to prejudicing police efforts on this whole case. You can come after three days when I think I would have gathered more information on what transpired. I would also be in a position to respond to the residents’ concerns,” said Insp Matake.
Meanwhile, the maternal grandmother to the late baby, Ms Molyn Maziva, said she could not rule out foul play although she could not point a finger at anyone for causing her niece’s death.
“I cannot rule out foul play because there were some problems that my daughter (late child’s mother) has been facing. I can hardly point a finger at anyone because I understand the implications involved but one thing for sure is someone is responsible for all this,” said Ms Maziva.
Online Reporter