The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata and Luthando Mapepa
WHILE most families were celebrating Christmas holiday on December 25, a family in Makoni was plunged into mourning when three siblings woke up dead after inhaling a poisonous pesticide that had been used to preserve maize by their father.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the death of Vimbai (7), Vimbiso (5) and Violet Kufakunesu (1) who died at their homestead in Jowa Village under Chief Makoni.
He urged farmers to acquire the necessary knowledge before using pesticides and herbicides.
It is alleged on December 24, the father of the deceased siblings, Tafadzwa Kufakunesu (42) and his wife, Annah Joyce Saineti (27) treated their shelled maize with Aluminium Phosphide 560TB fumigation tablets.
They put the treated maize in their storeroom.
At around 9pm, they retired to bed with their daughters in a bedroom next to the storeroom.
During the night, the fumigation tablets gas diffused into the bedroom and poisoned the family which was fast asleep.
Kufakunesu and his wife suffered from weak joints, running stomach and suffocation.
Early in the morning on Christmas Day, Kufakunesu discovered that their three daughters had died and advised his wife.
Neighbours were informed of the incident and they rushed the couple to Weya Rural District Hospital where they were treated and discharged.
ZRP Inyati attended the scene and inspected the bodies.
Police also recovered the remaining Aluminium Phosphide 560TB fumigation tablets.
The bodies were conveyed to Rusape General Hospital mortuary for post mortem.
Meanwhile, disciplining a naughty teenager ended in tragedy for a Chimanimani family after the teenager succumbed to the injuries sustained during the beating.
The incident happened on December 22 at Nemaramba homestead in Matiashe Village of Chief Muusha area.
Three family members, Comfort Chibvuma (23), Claris Nemaramba (42) and Munashe Njarawani (30) have since appeared before a Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi facing murder charges and were advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Prosecuting, Mr Edmore Mahlanganise said on December 22, the three accused persons had a misunderstanding with the now late Lesogo Tshepiso Mukudo (19) who had disappeared from the homestead without notifying anyone on December 16.
“Chibvuma, Nemaramba and Njarawani also accused Mukudo of conniving with unknown male adults to threaten Chibvuma who had spotted her at Hot Spring Business Centre on December 20.
The trio took turns to indiscriminately assault Mukudo several times all over the body with fists, an electric cable and switches.
“Some family members later refrained the three from further assaulting Mukudo who had sustained multiple bruises all over the body and a swollen mouth. She succumbed to the injuries on December 23 before being taken to hospital,” said Mr Mahlanganise.
A report was made to the police leading to the trio’s arrest. Post mortem results confirmed the cause of death as poly-trauma.
Broken switches that were used to assault Mukudo were also recovered.
