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Michael Magoronga, [email protected]

IN a spine chilling incident which left Gokwe villagers shell shocked, a 25 year old man believed to be mentally challenged, slit the throat of his one year old relative resulting in her death.

The shocking incident occurred on 1 September around 11AM in Village Magazo under Chief Sayi in Gokwe North.

According to Midlands Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, the man, Rutendo Shayanewako, was left alone in the kitchen with the child when he committed the offence.

“Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a murder case where a one-year-old child died after he was cut on the throat by a suspected mentally challenged relative. Thandiwe Bheura, a female aged 41 of Village Magazo Chief Sai, Gokwe was preparing food In the Kitchen with her grandson Brilliant Mhike aged one and half years. The suspect Rutendo Shayanewako, a man, aged 25 years who is Thandiwe’s brother-in-law and believed to be mentally ill entered the kitchen. Bheura served him food and proceeded to serve food to other family members who were outside,” said Inspector Mahoko.

Upon return Bheura found Shayanewako cutting Brilliant on the throat with a kitchen knife.

She rushed and stopped him but he had already inflicted a deep cut on the child’s throat and blood was oozing resulting in the instant death of the child.

The case is under investigation and the suspect is under police custody.

“We urge members of the public who have relatives who are mentally challenged to keep them under medication as guided by medical practitioners or mental institutions,” said Inspector Mahoko.