Maid charged for minor's death

A 20-YEAR-OLD maid appeared yesterday at the Harare Magistrates' Court facing a culpable homicide charge after she left a 10-litre bucket full of boiling water unattended resulting in it spilling and severely burning a two-year-old baby.

The suspect, Vaida Nzanga of Mainway Meadows in Waterfalls, was remanded in custody by magistrate Barbara Chimboza for bail ruling today.

It is the State's case that on March 13 this year at around 5pm, Nzanga and the now-deceased Tanaka Chimusaruwere were at home and Nzanga allegedly heated a 10-litre bucket full of water with the intention to bathe, but she suddenly placed the bucket in the passage to attend to something.

It is alleged that while she was closing the door, the minor ran through the passage, hitting the bucket. The hot water spilled all over the minor's body severely injuring him.

Tanaka was taken to Mbuya Dorcas Hospital for treatment, but passed on two days later. The body was taken to the Harare Central Hospital mortuary where a doctor concluded that the death was due to severe burns on the whole body.

Audrey Chogumaira appeared for the State.