PRISCA MANYIWA-MASUKU
MIRROR REPORTER

GOKWE – In yet another case of mental health problems in Zimbabwe, a 25-year-old mentally challenged man has been arrested after he cut a one-year-old toddler’s throat with a knife on Sunday.
The child died and the incident happened under Chief Sai’s area in Gokwe.
Rutendo Shayanewako of Magazo village under Chief Sai in Gokwe allegedly murdered Brilliant Mhike(1) by cutting his through with a kitchen knife.
It is barely two months after a similar incident happened in Gokwe North where a mentally challenged man stoned two men to death.
Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident to The Mirror.
Circumstances are that Thandiwe Bheura (41) the toddler’s grandmother was preparing food in the kitchen when the suspect entered.
Bheura served him food and proceeded to serve other family members who were outside and upon returning she found Shayanewako cutting the toddler’s throat with a kitchen knife.
She rushed and stopped him but he had already inflicted a deep cut on the child’s throat and blood was oozing resulting in the death of the child.
The suspect was arrested and investigations are underway.
Police is encouraging members of the public who have relatives who are mentally challenged to keep them under medication as guided by medical practitioners or send them to mental institutions.