A 30-YEAR-OLD Gokwe man is facing a murder charge after he allegedly killed his stepdaughter, whom he had taken to the shops when his wife was not feeling well.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko yesterday confirmed the arrest of Last Maphosa of Cheziya Red Roof stands.
Mahoko said Maphosa had appeared at the Gokwe Magistrates’ Court facing a murder charge. He was remanded in custody to May 28.
“Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of a 30-year-old man in Gokwe, who is suspected in connection with the murder of his four-month-old stepdaughter,” Mahoko said.
He said Maphosa lived with Princess Muchenje (18) as a married couple and the deceased toddler was Muchenje’s daughter.
According to Mahoko, on the fateful day, Muchenje was not feeling well and she left her baby with Maphosa when she went into the bedroom to rest.
“The suspect took his stepdaughter to Kambasha business centre at Gokwe centre where he wanted to buy cigarettes,” Mahoko said
“After a few minutes, he returned home without his step-daughter and told his wife that he had left her with his sister at Kambasha business centre.”
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Mahoko said after Muchenje doubted her husband’s story, she insisted that her child be brought back. Maphosa reportedly took a satchel, baby towel, gas tank and went back to Kambasha.
“He returned home with his step-daughter covered in a baby blanket and advised his wife that she (baby) was asleep, alleging that she had taken too much mahewu (traditional drink),” he said.
“He [Maphosa] placed the baby on the bed and Muchenje discovered that her child was dead when she wanted to breastfeed her.”
He said a report was made at ZRP Gokwe leading to Maphosa’s arrest, adding that investigations were underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
