Woman kills sister's son?

A CHITUNGWIZA woman reportedly threatened to burn her sister to death after a misunderstanding over a grave visit.

Ruth Musonza reportedly threatened her sister Hazvinei that she would die the same way her son had died.

Her son was in the custody of Ruth when he died in a fire accident, raising suspicion that she was behind the mishap following the threat.

Ruth was arrested and charged with the offence of making threats. She appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Don Ndirowei answering to the allegations.

She was convicted of the offence and was slapped with US$50 fine. Failure to settle the fine attracts 30 days prison term.

Sometime in 2005 the complainant left her son in the custody of her sister Ruth as she was getting into another marriage.

Circumstances are that on September 20, the complainant's son was involved in a fire accident that saw him dead and he was buried three days later.

It is said on September 24, Ruth went to the complainant's house in company of her brother who wanted to ask for forgiveness as he was among the people who went to the child's grave in her absence.

Ruth reportedly told the brother to ask for forgiveness saying Hazvinei's absence at the cemetery was not important as she is the one who had the custody of the child when the mishap occurred.

Ruth went on to threaten her sister saying she was going to die the same way her son died, making reference to her sleeping position.

She said since she sleeps near a window she would simply burn her as she had done to her son, confessing that she had killed the child.

A report was made with the police following the threat leading to the arrest of Ruth.

Prosecutor Edmond Ndambakuwa appeared for the State.