A 41-year-old man from Gokwe is facing murder charges following the death of his 14-year-old son, who he brutally assaulted with a sjambok after accusing him of raping his two-year-old daughter.
The tragic incident, confirmed by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), highlights the devastating consequences of violence and the urgent need for addressing child protection issues within communities.
Police announced the arrest of Trymore Hora on their official X account, stating: “Trymore Hora, 41, was arrested in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Matemazondo Village, Nembudziya, Gokwe in which his son, Chalton Hora, 14 died”. The statement detailed the horrific events leading to the boy’s death.
According to police, the incident unfolded on Tuesday, 23 December 2024. Trymore Hora accused his son, Chalton, of raping his two-year-old daughter. Consumed by rage and fuelled by unfounded accusations, he subjected Chalton to a merciless beating with a sjambok, inflicting severe injuries across his body. The brutal assault left the young boy gravely injured; he tragically succumbed to his injuries the following day, 24 December 2024.
The police report states: “On 23 December 2024, the suspect accused the victim of raping his 2-year-old daughter before assaulting him with a sjambok indiscriminately all over the body. The victim started vomiting and subsequently passed away on 24 December 2024.”
The details paint a grim picture of the violence inflicted upon the child and underscore the gravity of the situation. The full circumstances surrounding the alleged rape accusation remain under investigation.
This tragic incident is not an isolated case. In a separate, equally heartbreaking incident, a nine-month-old infant died after falling from a bed and becoming trapped between the bed and a wall in Waterfalls, Harare. The ZRP confirmed this incident, which also occurred on Tuesday, 23 December 2024.
The infant was left unattended on the bed by her mother, who was occupied with household chores. The details surrounding the infant’s death are currently under investigation, but the incident highlights the importance of constant supervision of young children, particularly infants, to prevent such accidental deaths. The loss of this young life serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of infants and the ever-present need for parental vigilance.
