Mum poisons child

Danisa Masuku

A woman from Mberengwa in Midlands province has been arrested for allegedly killing her seven-month-old baby after she reportedly fed her milk laced with poison.

The tragic incident happened after Felistus Mpofu (age not supplied) from Shumba Village in Mberengwa left her home to look for a job as a maid in Zvishavane.

A relative said she boarded a car and dropped off at Mandava Bus terminus at around 8pm and she had nowhere to go.

“She spent eight hours at the terminus and the child got very hungry. She bought milk and an organophosphate tablet which she crushed before mixing it with the milk and fed her seven-month old baby,” said the source.

The source said after that she went to a house next to the terminus to ask for a place to put up and they offered her.

“While she was there the child vomited and started crying uncontrollably. The owner accompanied her to Zvishavane District Hospital for medical attention, and sadly the child died upon arrival,” said the source close to investigations.

The incident was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Mpofu. During investigations cops searched her handbag and stumbled on a small bottle which contained little smelly milk and upon quizzing her she admitted that she fed her child with the poisoned milk.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident.

“We would like to discourage community members from resorting to killing when they face challenges.”