A Zvimba couple who fled last week after murdering a 4-year-old child put in their care by a relative has been found in South Africa by Zimbabweans.
The baby’s body was discovered in a sack in Harare on Saturday, prompting police to launch an appeal for information that might result in the arrest of John Zvivi and Lister Sibanda, who allegedly disappeared.
The detained couple can be heard being questioned about the crime in Shona in a video that has gone popular on social media.
🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Zvimba couple, which murdered their 6-year-old niece and stashed the body in a sack, then went on the run for three days have been arrested in South Africa. They are currently in South African Police Services custody and are expected to be extradited to… pic.twitter.com/5pvuVA0tHM
— ZimLive (@zimlive) August 6, 2023
The pair admits to putting the minor’s remains in a sack and dumping them, however, they deny murdering the child.
Princess Shoko was identified by police as the child.
Her body was found in a stream along Harare-Bulawayo Road, between Kuwadzana Extension and Glaudina, Harare on 2 August 2023.
The deceased minor is a child of Sibanda’s sister, who is based in South Africa.
The two were given to Sibanda and her husband together with the minor’s six-year-old sibling.
At the moment, the younger sister is receiving medical care at a nearby hospital.
Police tweeted on Saturday to confirm the shocking occurrence.
“The ZRP is appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of a couple, John Zvivi and Lister Sibanda of Vantage area, Zvimba who is being sought in connection with a case of murder in which their niece, Princess Shoko, 4, was found dead in a stream along Harare-Bulawayo Road, between Kuwadzana Extension and Glaudina, Harare on 2 August 2023,” police said.
“The victim was found stashed in a 25 kilogrammes mealie-meal sack and had a deformed face.
“The suspects were allegedly seen by neighbours assaulting the victim and her sister, 6, on several occasions using electric cables and switches.
“The other victim, 6, is currently admitted at a local hospital where she is receiving treatment on injuries she sustained during the assault by the suspects.”
In the video image, the couple is heard claiming the deceased minor was killed by goblins.-ZimLive
