A pall of disbelief hangs heavy over Seafield Estate Village in Harare, as news emerged of the tragic death of 19-month-old Shylet Sibanda, initially thought to be a sudden unexplained passing on May 28. However, a forensic autopsy delivered a shocking revelation: the child succumbed to mechanical asphyxiation, consistent with strangulation, immediately escalating the case to a criminal homicide investigation.
Authorities in Nyamandlovu, Zimbabwe, swiftly acted, arresting 29-year-old Simangaliso Dube, the child's mother, on May 30. During questioning, Dube reportedly confessed to the unfathomable act, attributing it to overwhelming frustration stemming from the persistent lack of financial support from the child’s father.
Law enforcement officials recounted Dube's claims of unbearable economic hardship and the absence of paternal assistance pushing her to this tragic extreme. Police sources noted, “The suspect expressed that persistent financial pressures and lack of paternal support became unbearable, leading to this tragic outcome.” Investigators further detailed Dube's account of the father consistently failing to provide for the child's upkeep, intensifying her emotional and financial burden. As police in Matabeleland North continue their ongoing investigation, they are delving into the broader circumstances surrounding Shylet's death, meticulously examining the parents' relationship dynamics and Dube's psychological state.
In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, authorities have issued a stark appeal to the public, urging immediate reporting of any signs of distress or violence within families to avert future tragedies of this nature.
