Evil Mabvuku stepmother beats up hubby’s daughter (4) to death… she died while producing green froth from nose and mouth

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Memory Moyana arrives at the Harare Magistrate court

A Mabvuku woman is facing murder charges after allegedly beating her four-year-old stepdaughter to death in a brutal attack. Memory Moyana, 20, appeared in court yesterday, charged with the murder of Tatenda Moyana.

The horrific incident unfolded on Monday afternoon, culminating in the child’s tragic death, leaving the community in shock and highlighting the devastating consequences of child abuse.

The details of the attack, as recounted by a neighbour, Lorrein Makore, paint a disturbing picture of the events leading up to the child’s death. Makore first noticed something amiss when she heard Tatenda crying. Moments later, the child emerged from Moyana’s room with visible bruises on her chest and mouth.

Later that afternoon, Tatenda reappeared, this time with soiled clothing, pleading for tissues. After Moyana assisted her, the two went back into their room, where, according to Makore, Moyana pushed Tatenda against the wall, accusing her of soiling herself. Some time later, Makore saw Moyana carrying an unconscious Tatenda.

Instead of seeking immediate medical attention, Moyana and her husband, Talent Muchato, 26, took the child to a self-proclaimed prophet. The prophet declared the child dead, and the couple then transported the body to Nyazura for burial.

However, their attempt to bury Tatenda was thwarted by police, who intervened following concerns raised by neighbours about Moyana’s role in the child’s death. The police intervened, preventing the burial and launching an investigation. Moyana was subsequently arrested and remanded in custody until next year pending the completion of investigations.

Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the arrest and provided further details about the investigation.

“Police arrested a Mabvuku woman for murder. Circumstances are that the accused was a stepmother to the now deceased. Accused was reported to have been physically abusing the now deceased in her neighbourhood. On (Monday), at around 1600 hours, one of their neighbours saw the accused person assaulting the now deceased using open hands.

“After the beating, the neighbour went to check on the now deceased and found her lying on the bed covered with blankets. She inspected the now deceased and noticed that she had sustained some injuries on the mouth, neck, waist and a bruised back and was having difficulties in breathing,” narrated Insp Chakanza.

Inspector Chakanza continued to describe the events leading to the child’s death: “At around 1800 hours, the accused person’s husband arrived home and noticed that the now deceased was lying on the bed unconscious and having difficulties in breathing. The accused person told him that the now deceased was attacked by evil spirits and they sought assistance from one of their neighbours and took the now deceased to Ruwa for assistance from a spiritual healer.

The deceased’s condition deteriorated as she frothed from the mouth and nose producing a smelly substance greenish in colour and died at around midnight. On December 17, 2024, at around 0500 hours, the now deceased’s father together with his brother took the body to their rural home in Nyazura for burial using public transport.” The police subsequently retrieved the body from Nyazura for a post-mortem examination.

Moyana’s appearance in court yesterday marked a significant step in the legal process. She appeared emotionless, accompanied by her own young child, less than a year old. The prosecutor, Takudzwa Jambawo, detailed the charges against her, outlining the alleged assault that led to Tatenda’s death.

The details of the case, including the neighbour’s testimony and the police investigation, paint a grim picture of the events that led to Tatenda’s untimely death. The investigation is ongoing, and the court proceedings will determine the full extent of Moyana’s responsibility for this horrific crime.


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