A young mother from Mkwasine, Chiredzi, has been arrested for the brutal murder of her two-year-old son.
Eighteen-year-old Maria Zimvumi stands accused of fatally stoning the child, an act that has prompted a renewed call for support services for vulnerable individuals. The incident comes at a time when another young woman, Memory Moyana, from Mabvuku in Harare was arrested for beating up her husband’s 4-year-old daughter to death.
The chilling details of the incident emerged from Masvingo Province police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa. He confirmed the arrest and revealed that Zimvumi had taken her son to the remote Maranatha Paddock cattle ranch before carrying out the horrific act.
The isolated location meant there were no witnesses to intervene as the tragedy unfolded. The sheer brutality of the crime has left many questioning the circumstances that led to such a devastating outcome.
The motive behind the murder remains shrouded in mystery. Inspector Dhewa stated: “The exact reason behind the mother’s actions of stoning her child to death has not been established. It is understood that the woman had failed to report for domestic work in Chiredzi town, and it is suspected that this angered her.”
This explanation, while offering a potential trigger, falls far short of explaining the extreme violence inflicted upon the innocent child. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case progresses.
Adding to the gravity of the situation is Zimvumi’s subsequent actions. Following the murder, she presented her son’s lifeless body at Chiredzi ZRP police station, attempting to mislead investigators by claiming the child had fallen from her back. This blatant attempt to deceive the authorities only served to further complicate the case and underscore the severity of her actions.
Inspector Dhewa highlighted this deception, stating: “In the course of investigations, it was revealed that the woman had given false information to the police in an attempt to evade responsibility for murdering her two-year-old son.” This act of deception will undoubtedly weigh heavily against her during the legal proceedings.
The tragic incident has prompted a strong response from law enforcement, with a renewed emphasis on the need for community support and readily available resources for those struggling with personal challenges. Inspector Dhewa issued a plea to the public, particularly women, urging them to seek help when facing difficulties.
He stressed: “Police are urging the public, particularly women, to seek help from counsellors, pastors, headmen, chiefs, police, and local councilors when facing difficulties, rather than taking their frustrations out on children.”
This statement underscores the broader societal implications of the case, highlighting the crucial need for accessible support systems to prevent similar tragedies.
The investigation continues, with the child’s body sent to Chiredzi District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination. Zimvumi remains in custody, awaiting trial on murder charges. She has already made her first court appearance, marking the beginning of a legal process that will seek to determine the full extent of her culpability and provide a measure of justice for the innocent victim.
