Harare – John Zvivi and Alista Sibanda, a married couple accused of the brutal murder of their four-year-old niece in 2023, made a dramatic appearance in a Harare court over the weekend after being extradited from South Africa. The couple allegedly fled across the border after the child’s death, sparking a manhunt that culminated in their arrest and return to face justice in Zimbabwe.
The two accused, John Zvivi (36) and Alista Sibanda (35), were brought back into the country on March 27, 2025, after their story circulated widely on social media, prompting their arrest and eventual extradition. They appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Isheunesu Matova on Saturday, who remanded them in custody and advised them to approach the High Court for bail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for April 11, pending their indictment.
The tragic events unfolded in April 2023 when Nomsa Sibanda, Alista’s sister, brought her two daughters, Princess Shoko (4) and Susan Mandaza (6), from South Africa to be cared for by the couple in Zvimba. Nomsa Sibanda returned to South Africa on May 19, 2023, leaving her children in the care of her sister and brother-in-law.
According to the prosecution, led by Mr Takudzwa Jambawu, the couple began to ill-treat the children, subjecting them to assaults and denying them access to food. The abuse allegedly escalated, and in July 2023, Princess Shoko succumbed to injuries sustained from the severe assault, passing away on July 23, 2023.
In a desperate attempt to conceal their crime, Zvivi and Sibanda allegedly placed the child’s remains in a sack and stashed it in the boot of a red Honda Fit with Botswana number plates. They then drove from their homestead to Kuwadzana Extension, where they dumped the body in a stream in Dzivaresekwa.
The court heard that the couple informed Nomsa Sibanda of her daughter’s death but failed to provide her with a satisfactory explanation. Troubled by their vague account, Nomsa returned to Zimbabwe and, on August 1, 2023, reported a missing person’s case to ZRP Dzivarasekwa.
The very next day, the body of Princess Shoko was discovered in the Dzivarasekwa stream. Nomsa identified the remains of her daughter, and the body was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital for a post-mortem examination. While a pathologist conducted the examination, the cause of death was inconclusive as toxicology results were still pending.
Fearing arrest, the couple fled to South Africa. However, their alleged crime came to light after the story gained widespread attention on social media. Authorities in South Africa apprehended the couple, and after months of legal proceedings, they were extradited to Zimbabwe to face justice.
