Staff writer
A SIX (6) year old Zvishavane girl died from injuries sustained from a beating by her uncle for failing to write her name.
The deceased has been identified as Praise Tsomeka of Kasvoro village under chief Masunda in Zvishavane.
It is alleged that Kasvoro was under the custody of her uncle, Takudzwa Wellington Chimutsa (28), who is now in police custody as a suspect.
According to ZRP Midlands spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko the incident occured on 18 January 2025.
On the said day, Chimutsa came back from work and started to teach his niece how to write her name.
As the two conducted lessons, Chimutsa would repeatedly beat the child using Mopane switches if she failed to write her name.
This spilled over into the next day Insp Mahoko added.
“On 19 January 2026, the same process happened again,” he said.
“And this time when the switches broke, Chimutsa sought for and used a rubber sjambok.
“On 21 January 2025 Praise began showing signs of weakness and experiencing excruciating pain.
“Chimutsa and his wife took her to a prophet who prayed for her before they later took her to Zvishavane District Hospital where Tsomeka died upon admission.”
Insp Mahoko urged parents and guardians to safeguard minors and treat them humanly.
“We take this opportunity to reiterate the call for parents and guardians of children to always treat them in a human manner,” pleaded Insp Mahoko.
