BY STAFF REPORTER
A Shurugwi stepfather has appeared in court facing allegations of poisoning to death his 3-month-old stepdaughter.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Tatenda Masunda (24) appeared before the Shurugwi Magistrates’ Court facing a murder charge.
The State alleges that on the 3rd of November, at around 5 AM, the accused stopped the infant’s mother from taking the baby with her to a nearby borehole where she intended to do the laundry.
He then retrieved a poisonous substance, commonly used in gold purification, which he had hidden in the yard, and fed it to the infant.
The accused later brought the visibly distressed and crying infant to the mother.
The mother rushed the infant to Zvamabande Hospital.
She was referred to Shurugwi District Hospital, where the baby was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The accused fled to Chegutu, where he was arrested on the following day.
He was remanded to the 21st of November
pending investigations.