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Crime Reporter

THREE young girls aged seven, five and one, died in their sleep while their parents escaped death by a whisker at Jowa Village, in Inyati, after they suffocated from Aluminium Phosphide 560TB fumigation tablets that had been sprayed on shelled maize.

The maize was in a storeroom next to their bedroom.

The incident occurred on Christmas Day and police are still investigating the case.  Aluminium Phosphide 560TB fumigation tablets are used to control pests in stored grain, seed, tobacco and storage premises. It can also be used for the control of porcupines, moles, gerbils and other rodents as indicated.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“Members of the public are urged to be cautious when using pesticides. On December 25, 2021, three female infants aged seven, one and five years died in their sleep whilst their parents, aged 42 and 27 escaped death by a whisker at Jowa Village in Inyati.

“The victims suffocated after their parents had applied Aluminium Phosphide 560TB fumigation tablets on their shelled maize, stored the maize in a storeroom next to their bedroom and went to bed. During the night, the victim’s parents developed some health complications and when they checked on their children, they discovered that they had already died. The victim’s parents later received medical attention through the assistance of neighbours,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Police in Nkayi are also investigating circumstances surrounding the death of Simani Nyathi (12) of Mkubo Village, which occurred on December 26 at around 1400 hours.

The victim is said to have been playing a swing game with his cousin sister aged nine when he was allegedly trapped and strangled to death by the swing rope.

The body of the victim was found hanging from a tree in a kneeling position with a rope tied around his neck.

Some bruises were observed around the victim’s neck and froth coming from the mouth.

In another case that happened on December 27, 2021, police in Hurungwe arrested Ashton Gwararaoma (21), Kisswell Kamutsamombe (28) and Handsome Muchesa in connection with a murder case where they allegedly fatally assaulted Runweki Kudakwashe Chirovapasi after he had confronted them for assaulting his son.