Online Reporter
RESIDENTS have expressed shock and anger following an incident in which a male commuter omnibus driver allegedly sexually abused a seven-year-old boy he was tasked with ferrying to and from school.
The abuse, which reportedly occurred on multiple occasions between March 12 and 19, has sparked widespread concern among parents and the broader Midlands community.
According to Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, the victim’s mother discovered human waste on the boy’s clothing on March 19.
Upon questioning, the child revealed that the driver had been sexually assaulting him inside the vehicle.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police in Midlands province is investigating a case of aggravated indecent assault involving a seven-year-old juvenile,” Insp Mahoko confirmed.
Police suspect the abuse took place repeatedly inside the vehicle while in transit from school to Mkoba during the second week of March.
The suspect has been identified only as “Jonso”, a driver of a school run kombi, whose full particulars are currently unknown to the authorities.
The incident came to light during an afternoon routine, when the mother was undressing her son.
After noticing the physical evidence of trauma, she interviewed the boy, who narrated a harrowing series of events involving the driver who had been entrusted with his daily commute.
In light of this incident, Inspector Mahoko urged parents to remain vigilant and closely monitor their children’s movements, particularly when using private or public transport services.
“We are urging the general public to desist from entrusting strangers with their children, as it endangers their lives. Due diligence must be taken when planning the transportation of children to and from school,” he said.
The police have launched a manhunt for the suspect and are appealing to the public for any information regarding his whereabouts.
“If anyone has information about the suspect, known as Jonso, they are encouraged to report to the nearest police station,” Mahoko added.
The incident has sparked an outcry in Gweru, with residents demanding swift justice for the victim and calling for more stringent measures and vetting processes to protect children within the transport sector. — Midlands Bureau
************
Truck driver kills infant son, self after marital dispute
Mourners were met with scenes of raw emotion and high drama in Chitungwiza during the burial of a truck driver who allegedly took his own life and that of his infant son following a domestic dispute in South Africa.
The deceased, Tonderai Spacious Mukaro, reportedly committed the act after learning that his wife, Christine Mashavire, was allegedly involved in an extramarital affair with their landlord in South Africa.
The burial ceremony took a dramatic turn when Christine removed her blouse in a public display of protest and grief over the death of her four-month-old son Junior Mukaro.
According to Tonderai’s brother-in-law, Robert Kanyangarara, Christine’s behaviour was fuelled by immense anger and distress.
“The wife travelled from South Africa to attend the funeral and burial of her husband and son,” Robert explained.
“At the cemetery, she removed her blouse, shouting obscenities against Tonderai and throwing her late son’s clothes into the grave in protest.”
The events leading to the burial began when Tonderai reportedly drove his truck from his base in South Africa to Zimbabwe.
He told relatives he had travelled home to “deliver a message” to his in-laws.
However, the authorities believe Tonderai strangled the infant before taking his own life.
Robert recounted the night of the incident, noting that he had left Tonderai and the baby sleeping in the sitting room. When he woke up the following morning, the room was empty.
“I searched for them outside and found Tonderai lying unconscious, with white froth around his mouth. His lifeless body was on top of a shallow grave he had dug in the backyard, where he had buried the toddler,” alleged Robert.
The family revealed that there had been previous attempts to resolve the couple’s marital issues.
Robert noted that he had tried in vain to mediate the conflict, but the situation ultimately spiralled into a double tragedy that has left the Chitungwiza community in shock. — Harare Bureau
************
Dad, son in love triangle
Two members of the Gwasira family were recently embroiled in a sensational paternity dispute after a woman, uncertain of who fathered her unborn child, attempted to elope to both of them.
Shelter Masango of Ridgemont, in Rusape, hauled Jacob Gwasira before Chief Makoni’s community court, accusing him of denying responsibility for her pregnancy.
Jacob flatly rejected the claim, insisting he only had a single encounter with Masango before discovering she was romantically involved with a rival taxi driver.
He further alleged that Masango later pursued Leeroy Gwasira — culturally regarded as his son — and even attempted to elope to him in Harare, but failed to track him down.
Chief Makoni adjourned the matter pending DNA tests after the child’s birth.
Masango told the court she met Jacob while working at an insurance company and began dating him.
She claimed he lured her to his Mabvazuwa home under the pretext of collecting policy money, but instead coerced her into intimacy.
“We only slept once. I was furious at what he did and that is when I started seeing Leeroy. I did not know they were related — I thought they were just workmates. I am sure Jacob is the father because the intimacy was not planned; he forced me,” Masango testified.
Jacob countered that after their single encounter, he ended the relationship upon discovering “lurid messages” from a taxi driver on her phone.
He said Masango then turned to Leeroy, who later sold a cellphone Jacob had bought him to pay for pregnancy tests.
When Leeroy left for Harare, Masango followed but failed to find him.
Jacob claimed she then tried to elope to him, but he denied responsibility.
“They first accused me of rape, hoping I would accept her to avoid arrest. I told them to go to the police. They refused, saying they did not want the baby to blame them for sending its father to jail,” Jacob told the court.
Theresa Nyamusa said she only learnt of her daughter’s pregnancy from her Harare-based sister, whom Shelter had visited.
She expressed shock that her daughter had slept with two relatives.
“I only learnt that Shelter was pregnant after seven months, when she had visited my younger sister in Harare, and her househelp noticed the signs.
“My sister delayed telling me as they were busy trying to find out the real father. Shelter later returned to Rusape and took us to Jacob, claiming he was the father. But she also mentioned another man related to Jacob.
“Shelter told me she first slept with Jacob, then told his relative Leeroy that she was carrying Jacob’s child, before starting to sleep with Leeroy. I do not know if she is telling the truth.
“All along, I was not staying with Shelter as she lived with her father in Norton. Now, her father blames me and the burden of looking after the child is solely mine,” Nyamusa said.
Leeroy’s father, Tawanda Gwasira, said the case was exhausting, as Jacob and Leeroy were culturally not expected to exchange women, being father and son.
“Jacob and Leeroy are father and son. Jacob told me he was the one who started dating the girl and Leeroy later took over. It is despicable for close relatives to sleep with one girl,” said Gwasira.
The DNA results, announced by Chief Makoni, revealed that Jacob was not the biological father of the child.
He urged Shelter to identify other men she had been involved with so further tests could be conducted.
“Now that the DNA results have exonerated Jacob, Shelter and her relatives must summon Leeroy and the mushikashika driver to this court for tests.
“Shelter must be truthful and name all the men she slept with during the period in question so there is closure. When the case was first heard, Shelter denied ever sleeping with Leeroy, but now she admits it,” said Chief Makoni. — Manicaland Bureau
