Albert Andiseni-Mashingaidze
A mentally challenged man has been arrested after murdering a year-old baby in Gokwe, under Chief Sai’s: Village Magazo.
Midlands Spokesperson Inspector Mahoko confirmed the incident to this reporter saying that it occurred on the 1st of September 2024 around 11.00 am.
It was revealed that Thandiwe Bheura (41) was cooking with her grandson Brilliant Mhike aged one and a half when her brother-in-law Rutendo
Shayanewako (25) attacked and killed the child in the kitchen.
“The suspect Rutendo Shayanewako (25) who is believed to be mentally ill entered the kitchen and Bheura served him food. She proceeded serving
food to other family members who were outside” he said.
“Thandiwe Bheura returned to find Rutendo Shayanewako cutting her grandson throat with a kitchen knife. The child suffered a fatal deep cut and died instantly,” Inspector Mahoko said.
“On return Bheura found Shayanewako cutting Brilliant in the throat with a kitchen knife. She rushed and stopped him but he had already inflicted a deep cut on the child’s throat and blood was oozing.”
The child died instantly. The case is still under investigation and the suspect was arrested.
The ZRP has urged the members of the public who have relatives who are mentally challenged to keep them under medication as guided by medical practitioners or mental institutions. Meanwhile, a 34-year-old woman is battling for her life at Shurugwi District Hospital after being brutally attacked with a machete by her husband’s ex-wife on 31 August 2024, at around 1400hrs.
Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the circumstances were that Plaxedes Ndebele (34) was attacked at her homestead.
“Ndebele was sitting with a friend when Christine Chikamande approached them, pulled out a machete from her bag, and struck Ndebele four times on her body.”
The incident occurred at Ndebele’s homestead in village Kobodo, under Chief Nhema in Shurugwi. Plaxedes Ndebele was sitting with a friend when Christine Chikamande approached them, pulled out a machete from her bag, and struck Ndebele four times on her body.
Inspector Mahoko confirmed that Chikamande ran away from her crime after releasing the circumstances for her actions.
Chikamande then fled the scene, leaving Ndebele lying on the ground in a pool of blood, the police were quickly alerted and rushed Ndebele to the hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment for her severe injuries. The police are now searching for Chikamande and have appealed to the public for any information that may lead to her arrest.
Authorities are urging anyone with knowledge of Chikamande’s whereabouts to come forward and report it to their nearest police station.
The incident has raised concerns about the escalating levels of domestic violence and the need for peaceful conflict resolution. Police have urged the public to seek alternative dispute resolution methods, rather than resorting to violence.
The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but it is believed to be related to a domestic dispute.
The incident has left the community in shock, and residents are calling for justice for Ndebele and her family.
Inspector Mahoko urged the public to bring in information on Chikamande to the police.
“The police investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to come forward to assist in bringing Chikamande to justice.”
