Girl (5) survives brutal machete attack

A five-year-old girl from Kudugu village under Chief Mutema in Chipinge is fortunate to be alive after a brutal machete attack by an unknown assailant on May 27.

According to Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, the incident occurred around 2 pm as the young girl was walking home from school accompanied by a six-year-old male friend.

As they passed through a bushy area along the Chipinge-Southdown road, a shirtless man carrying a satchel emerged from the thicket. The suspect suddenly attacked the little girl with a machete, inflicting multiple wounds.

"The suspect approached the two children, pulled out a machete and attacked the little and defenseless girl multiple times. Her six-year-old male friend ran away, screaming for help. The unknown assailant then stopped attacking the girl and fled into the bushes. The boy rushed to inform her grandmother about the incident," Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said.

The girl was rushed to Chipinge District Hospital where she remains in serious condition. She sustained five cuts to her right arm, one to her knee, two to her right eye, and two to her left arm, and she also suffered a fractured right arm.

The attack was reported to police at the Junction Gate base, who promptly attended the scene. However, no arrests have been made so far.

Authorities have appealed to the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the identification and apprehension of the attacker.

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka also issued a warning to parents and guardians, urging them to accompany their children or advise them to avoid isolated footpaths to ensure their safety.

"We urge guardians to accompany their children or advise them to avoid using footpaths. We also appeal to anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist the police with their investigations," he said.