Sundaymail Editor
A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL allegedly colluded with her mother and sold her newborn baby for US$180.
The teenager, using the alias Nobuhle Sibanda, and her mother Evelyn Zisengwe reportedly conspired to sell the infant to Dion Tore.
The trio appeared in court facing human trafficking charges and were remanded in custody.
The court heard that the plot began in January, when Zisengwe informed Tore about her daughter’s pregnancy and intention to have an abortion.
Tore, who claimed to have a history of miscarriages, expressed interest, through a WhatsApp group called “Sora neMiti”, in adopting the child.
Tore later contacted the pregnant teenager and arranged a meeting on February 22.
She facilitated an ultrasound scan, which confirmed that the baby was a girl.
The pregnancy was in its 31st week.
The three then roped in an unnamed nurse at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital to induce premature labour.
Tore provided falsified personal details to the hospital officials, posing as the expectant mother.
Sibanda subsequently gave birth prematurely on February 25, and on March 5, she handed the baby over to Tore at the hospital.
To cover their tracks, Tore fabricated a fake death certificate, claiming Sibanda’s baby had died shortly after birth.
Between May and August, Zisengwe received US$180 from Tore through EcoCash.
The trio’s arrest followed a tip-off made to the police in Murewa. — Wires
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Father kills infant in domestic dispute
A man aged 26 inadvertently killed his two-month-old child in Chiweshe recently.
Tapiwa Masache, blinded by rage, swung a wooden log at his wife, but fate took a cruel turn.
The deadly weapon instead found its mark on the most vulnerable of victims — the child.
Police have since launched investigations into the tragedy, which occurred in Kodzwa village.
The community is now reeling from the senseless loss of such a young life. — Wires
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Police officer murders wife in jealous rage
A Buhera police officer killed his wife by repeatedly stabbing her with an Okapi knife.
The violent act was allegedly motivated by rumours of infidelity.
Cuthbert Mupfuki, a 37-year-old member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison by Mutare High Court judge Isaac Muzenda.
The incident occurred on October 10, 2023 in Nechiwowe village, Chief Nyashanu, Muzokomba, Buhera.
Mupfuki stabbed his wife Brenda Manyara multiple times, causing fatal injuries.
A postmortem confirmed that the cause of death was respiratory failure due to trauma.
Constance Gwemba, a witness, testified that Mupfuki had asked Manyara to go into their bedroom.
Shortly afterwards, screams were heard.
Gwemba attempted to enter the room but found the door locked.
Through the window, she saw Mupfuki pinning Manyara against the wall and accusing her of having an affair with a local villager named Joseph Murwisi.
Mupfuki later dragged his wife’s lifeless body into the passage, then fled the scene.
Gwemba found Manyara lying on the floor, bleeding profusely from the chest.
She also had a deep wound on her left hand. Later that evening, Mupfuki called Chipo Madidi, instructing her to gather everyone at the homestead.
Upon his return, he confessed to killing his wife.
Mupfuki’s daughter Barbra confirmed hearing her mother’s screams and later discovering bloodstains in the dining room.
On her part, Madidi, who arrived at the scene to find Manyara’s lifeless body, testified that Mupfuki had called her and confessed to murdering Manyara for allegedly having an extramarital affair with her nephew — Murwisi.
Murwisi appeared as a witness during the trial.
Apparently, he had earlier survived an ambush by Mupfuki around 7pm while he was on his way home.
He was struck with a log on the shoulder and arm.
He, however, managed to escape, leaving his bicycle and groceries behind.
Fearing for his life, he ran home and alerted others.
It was only later that Murwisi heard distressing screams from Mupfuki’s homestead. — Manica Post
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Woman assaulted for protecting daughter from pervert
A 24-year-old man from Bulawayo, seemingly driven by lust, was arrested for assaulting a 49-year-old woman.
The assault was allegedly punishment for the woman’s refusal to allow her 16-year-old daughter to be intimate with him.
Mcebisi Ndebele appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Challenge Mahembe and pleaded not guilty to the assault
charge.
The case was adjourned to a later date.
On September 14, 2024, Ndebele reportedly approached the teenager at her barbershop and expressed his desire to marry her.
He also asked her to have sexual intercourse with him.
The teenager rejected his advances and reported the matter to her mother.
Mother and daughter then confronted Ndebele.
A heated argument ensued, during which Ndebele allegedly assaulted the mother with fists.
When the daughter intervened, she was slapped by Ndebele’s colleague.
The daughter fled and alerted neighbours, who rushed to the scene.
The injured mother was found unconscious. She was then taken to hospital by ambulance.
Ndebele escaped but was arrested on October 18, 2024 following a manhunt. — B-Metro
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Elderly woman brutally assaulted in cattle dispute
A 32-year-old man from Nkayi in Matabeleland North province ran berserk and assaulted a 70-year-old woman with a knobkerrie following a dispute over the cattle the old woman was driving off her yard.
For the offence, Bongani Khumalo appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza on an attempted murder charge.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.
Allegations are that on October 19, 2024, around 1am, Bongani met Sloidge Khumalo, who was chasing cattle away from her homestead.
An incensed Bongani suspected she was stealing the cattle and confronted her.
He then assaulted her with a knobkerrie, striking her several times on the face, leaving her with scars and bruises.
The matter was reported to the police and investigations were carried out, leading to the culprit’s arrest.
The victim was referred to hospital for medical examination. She was admitted to Nkayi District Hospital. — Bulawayo Bureau
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