Princess was only four-years-old when she was allegedly murdered by the couple two years ago. The couple then fled to South Africa. They were extradited from that country in March this year.
Given that
Princess’ body was found in a bad state, in a stream along the Harare/Bulawayo
highway, it’s haunting her family that two years later, she is yet to be
buried.
In a letter
dated June 30 (on Monday) Nomsa Sibanda, who is the late Princess’ biological
mother, has requested for police intervention so that she gets a second DNA
test and a burial order for her to bury her child as quickly as possible.
There have been
a flood of reports on social media that Nomsa’s DNA tests, conducted at the
time of Princess’ death in 2023, failed to match her daughter.
Nomsa’s
lawyers, Hamunakwadi and Nyandoro Law Chambers, have now written to the police
to facilitate a second DNA test, within seven days.
The lawyers
said Nomsa “positively identified the body of her daughter which was discovered
in a stream along the Harare/Bulawayo Road.
“It was in a
bad state. The pathologist’s findings at the material time were inconclusive as
toxicology results were still pending.
“Due to the
said inconclusive findings, our client was ordered to participate in a DNA test
to determine the maternity of the corpse that she positively identified.
“Our client has
informed us that the said DNA test samples were forwarded to the National
University of Science and Technology Applied Genetic Testing Centre for
processing in 2023.
“Unfortunately,
for reasons unknown to our client, the DNA test results have not been
officially available to our client despite having fully paid.
“We believe the
anomaly could be a genuine human error or administrative mistake that can be
easily corrected by our client taking another DNA test against the body that
she has positively identified at all material times and which is still being
kept at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary.”
The lawyers
added: “We are, however, aware through social media that the results that have
since been published on various social media platforms are not Princess Shoko’s
but, instead, belong to an unidentified male child.
“As you might
be aware, this matter has become one of great public concern given the unusual
time frames involved.
“Since August
2023, the body of our client’s daughter has been indefinitely kept at the
mortuary at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. As it stands there is no guarantee
that the body of Princess Shoko is going to be released in the nearest
foreseeable future.
“This
communication serves to request the intervention of your esteemed office,
particularly with the following:
The
facilitation of expedited DNA re-test within a period not exceeding seven days
and with prompt assistance and facilitation of burial arrangements of the
remains of Princess Shoko.
“This we
believe is in the best interest of transparency and accountability.
“We are also of
the view that your immediate facilitation of the above requests will give
finality to the mother and grant closure to a family that has endured a
difficult and traumatising period.”
Nomsa said no
official communication was made to her except when she learnt that her DNA did
not match the body being held at Parirenyatwa, through various social media
platforms.
Following their
extradition, Sibanda and Zvivi have subsequently appeared in court.
Alista has
since been convicted and sentenced to 24-months in prison for physical abuse
under the Children’s Act.
John is
scheduled to appear in court on Friday for the murder trial. H Metro
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