By Nyasha Zhemu
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested three people in connection with the suspected poisoning and death of a four-year-old girl, Sabina Maziva, in Mandinyenya Village, Bikita District, Masvingo Province.
In a statement released on Sunday, police confirmed the arrest of Violet Gamera (60), Chamunorwa Kwanga (60) and Regina Tavengerarwei (30) following investigations into the tragic incident, which allegedly stemmed from a neighbourly dispute.
According to initial investigations, on October 1, 2025, Gamera reportedly gave the child poisoned rice as an act of revenge against her parents, whose goats had earlier destroyed her crops.
The child later started vomiting and was taken to a local clinic for treatment, but her condition worsened.
She died on October 5, 2025.
The victim was buried three days later, on October 8, but suspicions of foul play emerged during the funeral.
“Community members raised concerns that the child might have been poisoned and referred the matter to Chief Ziki on October 10, 2025. The Chief then directed the girl’s mother to report the case to the police,” read the statement in part.
Following her arrest, Gamera allegedly confessed to the act and implicated her two co-accused.
She told police that Kwanga had advised her to poison the child, while Tavengerarwei had supplied the poison.
Police said they have since recovered rat poison and a liquid chemical suspected to be a cotton pesticide, believed to have been used in the crime.
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