A DOMESTIC argument over nshima in Kalomo’s Simwajata Village has led to the death of a one year three month old baby who was struck during the violent fight between its parents.
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According to Southern Province police commissioner Auxensio Daka, the fatal incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, when 40 year old Patson Munsaka and his 29 year old wife, Fenister Simuloonga, began arguing after the husband demanded nshima and the wife refused to cook it.
Daka said during the altercation, Munsaka allegedly picked up a cooking pot and hurled it at his wife.
However, the pot missed her and instead struck their baby boy, Matson Simanyengwe, who immediately lost consciousness.
Despite the serious nature of the incident, the couple did not seek immediate medical attention.
It wasn’t until around 07:00 hours that they rushed the unconscious child to Simwatachela Health Facility, where medical staff pronounced it dead on arrival.
Later that morning, at about 11:00 hours, the couple carried the baby’s body to the home of Munsaka’s father, 75 year old Patson Simachembele, in Muulwa Village.
There, they initially claimed that the child had accidentally fallen into a well.
However, the mother later admitted the truth, that the child had died after being hit with a pot during the fight.
The grandfather to the child, Simachembele then rushed to report the matter to Headman Muulwa, who informed Chief Sipatunyana who then contacted Kalomo Police Station at 14:00 hours to report the alleged murder.
Police officers who visited the scene confirmed the report and a physical inspection of the child’s body revealed a deep cut on the forehead and burn like marks on the right cheek, consistent with injuries from a hot cooking pot.
“The body of the deceased child has been deposited at Kalomo Urban Hospital Mortuary pending postmortem,” said Daka.
“The couple has been detained in lawful police custody, charged with murder.”
The parents of the child remain in police custody as investigations continue.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, July 7, 2025
