Boy (4) suffocates

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy from Mutare’s Chikanga suburb died on Saturday after suffocating himself with a plastic bag while playing.

Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the death of the minor.

“On March 24, the boy was at home in Chikanga, playing alone with a bread plastic bag outside the house.

“While he was playing with the plastic, he wore it over his head and started having difficulties breathing,” said Insp Kakohwa.

He said the child was discovered by Vincent Wakatama (24), a man who lives at the same house in Chikanga, wearing the plastic bag on his head, while fighting for his life.

Wakatama rushed and grabbed the plastic bag from the boy’s head and handed him over to his father who immediately rushed him to St Joseph’s Hospital for treatment.

“Unfortunately, it was too late because the boy died while he was being attended to,” Insp Kakohwa said.

The boy’s father reported the matter to Chikanga Police Station.

Meanwhile, in Marange, a 31-year-old mentally-ill woman died after jumping into a well.

Insp Kakohwa said Saudzai Tichinani (31) of Marahwa Village under Chief Marange called her mother, Margaret Munjoma (50) on March 23 to come and collect her from Mutare since she was not feeling well.

“Her mother proceeded to Mutare and took her home to Marange. She observed that her daughter had developed a mental problem,” he said.

Tichinani’s condition is reported to have deteriorated within a short space of time.

“At around midday on March 24, Tichinani ran towards the well, which was 15 metres away from the house.

“She jumped into the well, which is approximately 20 metres deep and died,” Insp Kakohwa said, adding that villagers unsuccessfully tried to rescue Tichinani.

The matter was reported at Marange Police Station. Police attended the scene and retrieved the body, which was ferried to Marange Hospital for post-mortem.