Johnson Progress.

A heart-wrenching incident has shaken Mandinyenya Village in Bikita, Masvingo province, where a 4-year-old girl was allegedly poisoned to death by a neighbor in a revenge attack.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the murder of Sabina Maziva.

According to initial investigations, Violet Gamera, 60, allegedly gave Sabina poisoned rice on October 1, 2025, as an act of revenge against the child’s parents.

The motive behind the heinous act was reportedly a dispute over goats that had strayed into Gamera’s field and destroyed her crops.

“Initial investigations reveal that on 1st October 2025, Violet Gamera allegedly gave the victim poisoned rice as an act of revenge against the child’s parents, whose goats had previously destroyed her crops,” said ZRP national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

The police investigation was triggered after rumors of poisoning began circulating during Sabina’s burial.

The villagers alerted Chief Ziki, who instructed the victim’s mother to report the case to the police.

Following investigations, Gamera implicated two other suspects, Chamunorwa Kwanga, 60, and Regina Tavengerarwei, 30, as the masterminds behind the poisoning.

“Following investigations Gamera implicated Kwanga as the person who advised her to poison the child as well as Tavengerarwei as the supplier of the poison,” Commissioner Nyathi said.

The police have recovered rat poison and a liquid substance suspected to be a cotton pesticide, believed to have been used in the commission of the offense.

Sabina’s body was exhumed and taken to Silveira Mission Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

Commissioner Nyathi urged members of the public to resolve disputes through lawful and peaceful means.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police strongly condemns criminal acts and cruelty in society, especially those that endanger the lives of innocent children,” he said.

The police are continuing their investigations into the matter.