adminMidlands Correspondent
POLICE in Gokwe are investigating a case in which three children were burnt beyond recognition when the blankets they were sleeping in caught fire from a burning tyre lit in their bedroom hut for suspected ritual purposes. Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko yesterday said the incident occurred on Sunday night in Makunda Village under Chief Chireya.
“On the fateful day, the three victims’ mother, Ms Loveness Mupamombe (37) was sleeping in the same bedroom hut with them when she suddenly woke up and complained of being haunted by some evil spirits.
She then lit a tyre and left it burning in an attempt to scare away the alleged evil spirits,” said Insp Mahoko.
He said at around 1am during the same night, Ms Mupamombe woke up her eldest child, Tafadzwa Sibanda (15) who was in the same bedroom hut and asked him to escort her to a local prophet.
“Ms Mupamombe then locked the bedroom hut from outside leaving her three children, two boys, Takudzwa (10), Tafara (2) and a girl, Ruvarashe (5) sleeping inside,” he said.
Insp Mahoko said one of the blankets caught fire from the burning tyre and later the hut caught fire.
“The three siblings failed to escape and were burnt beyond recognition.
“The matter was later reported to the police who attended to the scene,” he said.
Insp Mahoko said the three sibling’s bodies were taken to Gokwe District Hospital mortuary.
Meanwhile, a six-month-old baby died when she was allegedly scalded with boiling water by a neighbour who was accusing its mother of failing to pay back a $1 debt.
Insp Mahoko said the incident occurred on Sunday at Gutsaruzhinji Village, under Chief Nhema in Shurugwi.
He said police have since arrested the woman suspect, Tracy Ngoni (33) in connection with the suspected murder case.
“On the fateful day, the suspect, Tracy Ngoni, visited Ms Dorothy Ruvengo at her homestead and demanded her $1 which Ms Ruvengo allegedly owed her,” said Insp Mahoko.
He said Ms Ruvengo then told Ngoni that she had no money but the suspect kept insisting that the complainant pay her back her money.
“Ms Ruvengo then reminded Ngoni that she also owed her $1 and then suggested that the debts should cancel each other,” he said.
Insp Mahoko said the suggestion did not go down well with Ngoni who became violent and went on to beat Ms Ruvengo with fists.
He said Ngoni later took a 10-litre gallon of boiling water, which was on the fireplace and scalded Ms Ruvengo’s six month old baby that was sleeping on the floor.
“The baby sustained severe burns but was not taken to hospital owing to its mother’s beliefs. The baby then died the following day,” said Insp Mahoko.
He said Ms Ruvengo and her family members who are all members of the Johane Masowe Yechishanu Apostolic sect buried the baby on Monday.
Insp Mahoko said some members of the public later alerted the police who then exhumed the body.
“Police also arrested the suspect, Ngoni and investigations are still under way,” he said.
Online Reporter