Police have arrested three women in Bikita who allegedly poisoned a four-year-old girl to death over her parents’ ‘sins’.
The incident occured Mandinyenya Village, Bikita.
Police Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of Violet Gamera (60), Chamunorwa Kwanga (60), and Regina Tavengerarwei (30) in connection with a murder of Sabina Maziva.
Commissioner Nyathi said initial investigations reveal that on October 1, Gamera allegedly gave the victim poisoned rice.
It is alleged that it was an act of revenge against the child’s parents, whose goats had previously destroyed her crops.
The child later began vomiting and was referred to a local Clinic, where she received medical attention.
Unfortunately, her condition continued to deteriorate, leading to her death on October 5.
The victim was buried on October 8.
During the burial, it emerged that the child may have been poisoned, prompting the community to refer the matter to Chief Ziki on October 10.
The Chief instructed the victim’s mother to report the matter to the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Following investigations, Violet Gamera implicated Chamunorwa Kwanga as the person who advised her to poison the child.
She further implicated Regina Tavengerarwei as the supplier of the poison.
The Police have since recovered rat poison and a liquid substance suspected to be a cotton pesticide, believed to have been used in the commission of the offence.
The body of the victim has been exhumed and taken to Silveira Mission Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
