The Sunday News
TWO four-year-old boys from Rutendo High density suburb in Redcliff, Kwekwe were allegedly kidnapped and murdered by unknown suspects before being dumped in a shallow stream, police have confirmed.
Acting Midlands Police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the incident that occurred on Wednesday last week at around 4pm in Redcliff when Tafara Chimhina and his friend Trinos Maparadza were found dead in a shallow stream in the suburb.
“I can confirm that we are investigating a case of suspected murder involving two infants aged four which occurred between 20 and 21 January 2016 in Rutendo high density suburb in Redcliff, Kwekwe. On the said date and time the two infants Tafara Chimhina and his friend Trinos Maparadza were playing at Tafara’s residence. The two were last seen proceeding to Trinos’ residence but did not reach the house. Their parents reported them as missing persons and police conducted a search. Their bodies were later discovered on Thursday at around 8am floating in a shallow stream situated about 2km from their homes,” she said.
Asst Insp Mukwende said police attended the scene and observed that Tafara’s body had bruises on the ears, a swollen forehead and was bleeding from the eyes and froth was coming out of the mouth. She said there were, however, no visible injuries on Trinos’s body, but indications were that they could have been murdered.
“Investigations are in progress and the suspects are still at large. We would like to appeal to members of the public who might have information that could assist with the investigations or anyone who was seen in the company of the two juveniles to assist or report to any nearest police station,” she said.
“What happened is these children were playing near the borehole and were kidnapped by unidentified men who allegedly murdered them and dumped them along the stream. The children’s bodies were discovered the following morning,” added a source.
