Baby killed in nasty polygamous brawl

In a bizarre incident that left villagers in Murewa shell-shocked, a 12-month-old baby was crushed to death by its mother during a fight with her husband recently.

Aleck Kamumvuri (30) of Chitsiga Village, under Chief Mangwende in Murewa will soon appear in court facing murder charges after hitting his wife Shamiso Makosa (20) with a stone resulting in her falling and crashing to death Praise Adija who was strapped on her back.

Makosa, who is a second wife to the accused, had a misunderstanding with her husband who had not bought the idea of chasing away his first wife Sheilla Zhozho from the homestead. Makosa did not want to share the home with Zhozho.

Efforts to get a comment from Mashonaland East Province acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tendai Mwanza were fruitless.

But according to reliable sources, on October 4 at around 12pm after the misunderstanding, Makosa left for her parents' home in the neighbouring Mushore Village with her one-year-old baby Praise, a stepdaughter to Kamumvuri.

The following day, Kamumvuri went to Blessing Mavhunga (47), Makosa's aunt at Mushore Village to inform her about the misunderstanding.

He met his wife at her aunt's homestead in the company of his brother Gift (22). It is alleged Kamumvuri took Makosa aside and began discussing their issue.

But they failed to reach a consensus, resulting in Makosa opting to return to her husband's homestead to collect her belongings.

It is said while on their way , the two began discussing their issue again while at Chigama Hill. They agreed that Makosa would return home while Kamumvuri arranged alternative accommodation for her.

As they went down the hill, Makosa had a change of heart and began insulting her husband.

Makosa left Kamumvuri behind heading towards their homestead. This angered the accused who then picked a stone and hit Makosa on the head.

Kamumvuri picked a second stone and hit his wife on the head again. The wife screamed as she tried to flee.

It is said the accused then threw another stone that hit his wife on the head resulting in her, together with her baby falling down unconscious.

After realising that he had committed an offence, Kamumvuri fled the scene.

Makosa and her baby were later found by a villager Kingston Diamond who alerted other villagers. The two were taken to Kadzere Clinic where Praise was pronounced dead while Makosa was referred to Murewa Hospital before being transferred to Parirenyatwa Hospital for further treatment.

Praise's body was taken to Murewa Hospital mortuary for a postmoterm.

Kamumvuri surrendered himself to Murewa police the following morning and was subsequently detained.