A heart-wrenching incident has unfolded in Mandinyenya Village, Bikita, Masvingo Province, where a bitter dispute over goats has led to the poisoning death of a four-year-old girl, Sabina Maziva. The Zimbabwe Republic Police has confirmed the arrest of three suspects: Violet Gamera, 60, Chamunorwa Kwanga, 60, and Regina Tavengerarwei, 30.

According to police, Gamera allegedly gave Sabina poisoned rice on October 1, 2025, as revenge against the child’s parents, whose goats had destroyed her crops. The child began vomiting soon after consuming the rice and was rushed to a local clinic for treatment. Despite medical attention, Sabina’s condition worsened, and she tragically passed away on October 5, 2025.

The community’s suspicions were raised during Sabina’s burial on October 8, 2025, prompting them to report the matter to Chief Ziki. Investigations revealed that Gamera had been advised by Kwanga to poison the child, while Tavengerarwei allegedly supplied the poison. Police have recovered rat poison and a suspected cotton pesticide linked to the crime.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police strongly condemns such acts of cruelty, particularly those that harm innocent children. Sabina’s body has been exhumed for a post-mortem examination at Silveira Mission Hospital mortuary.

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