Plumtree Mother arrested for beating child to death over soiling incident

By Staff Reporter

PLUMTREE – A 37-year-old woman from Plumtree has been remanded in custody after allegedly beating her three-year-old daughter to death in a shocking act of violence triggered by a soiling incident.

The accused, Simangele Ncube, appeared before Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware, facing a murder charge. She was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody until November 21.

According to prosecutor Sheila Nyathi, the horrific incident occurred on September 2, when Ncube allegedly struck her daughter, Easy Mpande, on the head with a plastic dish after the toddler defecated on herself.

The following day, the prosecution said, Ncube escalated the abuse — brutally assaulting the child with an electric cable all over her body, leading to her tragic death on the spot.

Shocked neighbours, unable to ignore the brutality, reportedly performed a citizen’s arrest and handed Ncube over to the police.

The case has sparked national outrage, with many Zimbabweans calling for stronger child protection measures, improved parental counselling, and harsher penalties for perpetrators of child abuse.

Child rights advocates say the tragedy underscores the urgent need for community awareness programs to address domestic violence and mental health among caregivers.

Authorities have urged the public to report any cases of child abuse or neglect to local police or social welfare departments before tragedies occur.