Couple Extradited for Allegedly Killing Their Four-Year-Old Niece
John Zvivi and Alista Sibanda were extradited from South Africa to Zimbabwe to face charges related to the death of their four-year-old niece, Princess Shoko. They are accused of abusing the child, leading to her death in July 2023. Following their capture, they were remanded in custody pending further court hearings scheduled for April 11, 2025.
A married couple, John Zvivi (36) and Alista Sibanda (35), has been extradited from South Africa to Zimbabwe to face charges relating to the death of their four-year-old niece, Princess Shoko, in 2023. They were apprehended following their escape from Zimbabwe, and on March 27, 2025, they arrived back in the country to stand trial.
The couple appeared before Harare Magistrate Isheunesu Matova, who ordered them to remain in custody while advising that they apply for bail at the High Court. Their next court appearance is scheduled for April 11, 2025.
In April 2023, Princess, along with her six-year-old sister, Susan Mandaza, was placed in the care of their aunt and uncle in Zvimba while their mother, Nomsa Sibanda, traveled back to South Africa. It is alleged that during this period, the children experienced abuse, including physical beatings and deprivation of food.
Tragically, Princess succumbed to her injuries and died on July 23, 2023. To conceal their crime, the accused reportedly concealed her body in a bag and disposed of it in a stream in Kuwadzana Extension. When Nomsa returned, she received vague explanations about her daughter’s death.
On August 1, 2023, the children’s mother reported Princess as missing to the local authorities. The next day, authorities discovered her body in a stream in Dzivarasekwa, Harare. Following a failed identification, the remains were sent to Parirenyatwa Hospital for an autopsy, though results were pending due to toxicology analysis.
After fleeing to South Africa, the couple was apprehended due to the widespread dissemination of their case on social media, leading to their extradition. The prosecution is being handled by Takudzwa Jambawu, as the case unfolds.
The extradition of John Zvivi and Alista Sibanda underscores the serious nature of the charges against them concerning the tragic death of their niece, Princess Shoko. Their alleged acts of abuse and subsequent concealment of the crime highlight significant issues surrounding child safety and the responsibilities of guardians. The legal proceedings will determine their culpability in this grave matter, with further developments anticipated in the coming courtroom sessions.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
