Fort Rixon man murders toddler in paternity dispute

A two-year-old child was brutally murdered by his father in a shocking act of domestic violence that has sent shockwaves through the Fort Rixon community.

The accused, Israel Chisongo, allegedly killed the toddler following a heated argument with his wife, Martha Moyo, over the child's paternity. The dispute, according to police reports, escalated violently after Chisongo accused Moyo of infidelity and denied being the biological father of the child.

Witnesses say that during the altercation, Chisongo forcefully snatched the baby from his mother's arms, placed the child on the ground, and proceeded to stab and dismember him, cutting open the infant's stomach in full view of horrified onlookers.

The brutal nature of the attack has deeply unsettled residents, many of whom are struggling to comprehend the savagery of the act. "This is beyond anything we've ever seen. We are traumatised as a community," said a visibly shaken neighbour.

Police confirmed the incident, with Matabeleland South Police Spokesperson, Inspector Chiratidzo Dube, stating that Chisongo has been arrested and is currently in custody. "We can confirm that a man from Fort Rixon is in custody after allegedly murdering his two-year-old child. Investigations are ongoing, and he will appear in court soon," said Inspector Dube.

Authorities have described the case as one of the most disturbing in recent memory and have urged members of the public to seek peaceful means of resolving domestic disputes. Meanwhile, community leaders are calling for urgent counselling services for the bereaved family and the traumatised residents who witnessed the incident.