Crimes and Courts
GWERU, ZIMBABWE — The Gweru Circuit High Court has handed a seven-year prison sentence to Felistas Mpofu, 21, for poisoning her seven-month-old daughter with a pesticide in 2022.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of Zimbabwe confirmed the ruling in a statement Tuesday, detailing what prosecutors called a “heart-wrenching act of desperation.”
Mpofu, who was 19 at the time of the crime, traveled from her home in Mberengwa to Mandava, where she laced her infant’s milk with a toxic pesticide.
The child was rushed to Zvishavane General Hospital after crying uncontrollably but later succumbed to the poisoning. A post-mortem examination confirmed the death resulted from ingestion of a hazardous substance.
“The accused’s actions were premeditated and tragic,” the NPA said in its statement.
“A Good Samaritan who temporarily sheltered Mpofu discovered a feeding bottle emitting a potent chemical odor among her belongings, which triggered the investigation.”
Authorities revealed that the bystander’s alertness proved critical in linking Mpofu to the crime. During the trial, Mpofu admitted to poisoning her daughter, telling the court,
“I did it because I felt I could no longer care for her properly. I saw no other way.”
Prosecutors emphasized the severity of the offense, though the sentence reflected consideration of her youth and reported remorse. The NPA noted the case underscores broader societal challenges, urging support for struggling parents.
Regional Magistrate Ruth Moyo, presiding over the case, described the incident as “a devastating failure of maternal duty” but acknowledged Mpofu’s personal turmoil. The seven-year term has sparked mixed reactions, with some advocates calling for stronger mental health interventions to prevent such tragedies.
Mpofu’s legal team did not immediately indicate whether they would appeal the sentence.
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