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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A Gutu man allegedly killed his sick infant son by forcing him to drink a concoction of hot cooking oil mixed with lemon and salt as “treatment” for a bulging belly, police have said.

Tawanda Hamandawana, 35, of Village 6B Armala Farm allegedly gave 11-month-old Hardlife the concoction despite his wife, Locadia Nhema, 27, protesting. The man is suspected to be mentally challenged.

Hardlife was found dead at his parents’ homestead, a day after he had been allegedly forced to drink the hot concoction by his father.

He sustained blisters on the mouth and right side of the belly.

A report was made to the police who attended the scene and arrested Hamandawana.

The infant’s body was taken to Gutu District Hospital for postmortem.

Acting Masvingo police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna, said the incident occurred on Sunday at around 9AM.

He said the suspect has since been arrested and would appear in court soon facing a murder charge.

“I can confirm receiving a report of a man from Gutu who caused the death of his son by giving him a hot concoction. The suspect, who is suspected to be mentally challenged, was arrested and is now assisting police with investigations,” said Asst Insp Nduna.

A source said Hamandawana was at home with Nhema together with their son, Hardlife and thought of preparing a concoction to “treat” his son.

“Hamandawana took a clay pot which had oil and added water, salt and lemon juice. He placed the mixture on fire to boil. He intended to give the solution to Hardlife who had developed a bulging belly,” said the source.

After the solution had boiled Nhema who was watching Hamandawana from a distance came nearer and advised him against giving the mixture to Hardlife but her advice fell on deaf ears. She argued that Hamandawana could not give the baby the same concoction which she had administered on him in the morning.

“The advice by Nhema didnt go down well with Hamandawana who took a switch and lashed her four times on the back. Nhema ran away leaving Hamandawana with Hardlife and proceeded to Hamandawana’s elder brother Johannes, 37, who resides in the same village,” said another source.

On Sunday at around 9PM, Johannes went to his younger brother’s homestead where he discovered Hardlife dead.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Hamandawana’s arrest.