By Thelma Wandayi
In a heart-wrenching incident that has shaken the community of Shurugwi in Zimbabwe’s Midlands province, a 24-year-old man, Tatenda Masunda, stands accused of the unthinkable — the murder of his three-month-old step-daughter.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) reported that Masunda appeared in the Shurugwi magistrates’ court and was remanded in custody, awaiting further investigation until November 21.
The tragic sequence of events unfolded in the early hours of November 3, when, according to the state, Masunda impeded his partner’s plans to take their infant daughter to a nearby borehole for laundry.
In a horrifying twist, he is said to have retrieved a toxic substance—ordinarily associated with gold purification—from their yard and administered it to the defenseless child.
Upon realizing something was dreadfully wrong, Masunda returned to the child’s mother, who rushed the baby to Zvamahande Clinic in a frantic bid to save her. From there, they were referred to the Shurugwi District Hospital, but tragically, it was too late; the baby was pronounced dead upon arrival.
As the community grapples with the shocking loss, Masunda is not far from their thoughts. He fled the scene but was apprehended on November 5 in Chegutu, leaving a wake of sorrow and disbelief among those who knew the family.
In a separate case that highlights urgent issues of violence against women in the region, a 20-year-old man from Chief Nyajena’s area in Masvingo was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted rape.
His conviction stems from an incident on the same day, where he accosted a 37-year-old woman on her way to Nyamande Business Centre.
In a desperate act of bravery, the woman fought back — pulling the assailant’s manhood and escaping his grasp, ultimately leading to his arrest.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of violence against women, adding to the growing demand for justice and safety in communities across Zimbabwe.
As these stories unfold, they paint a grim picture of domestic strife and the urgent need for societal change, fostering a deeper conversation about the protectors of the vulnerable within families and communities.