Princess Shoko’s Mother Pleads With Authorities To Allow Her Daughter’s Burial After Two Years

Princess Shoko’s Murder That Shook Zimbabwe

The case became one of Zimbabwe’s most harrowing child abuse cases. Four-year-old Princess Shoko allegedly died at the hands of her own aunt, Alista Sibanda, and the woman’s husband, John Zvivi, in July 2023. The couple reportedly subjected Princess and her six-year-old sister to severe abuse before the younger child succumbed to her injuries.

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Court records reveal the accused attempted to conceal their crime by stuffing Princess’s body into a sack, transporting it in a Honda Fit, and dumping it in a Dzivarasekwa stream. The couple then fled to South Africa, only to be extradited earlier this year.

DNA Confusion Compounds Family’s Grief

Nomsa Sibanda, Princess’s biological mother, now faces additional trauma as confusion surrounds DNA test results. Despite positively identifying her daughter’s remains in 2023, Nomsa recently discovered through social media, not official channels, that the DNA samples allegedly didn’t match.

Her legal representatives from Hamunakwadi and Nyandoro Law Chambers have urgently requested police intervention, demanding a new DNA test within seven days, immediate issuance of a burial order, and transparent handling of the case

Justice Slowly Moves Forward

While the wheels of justice turn slowly, some progress has occurred. Alista Sibanda received a 24-month prison sentence for child abuse under the Children’s Act, while John Zvivi faces an upcoming murder trial.

Nomsa’s lawyers emphasised the urgent need for resolution:

“This matter has become one of great public concern given the unusual time frames involved. Our client deserves closure after this difficult and traumatizing period.”

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A Mother’s Plea for Dignity

As the legal process continues, one simple request remains: a grieving mother’s right to bury her child with dignity. With the body still preserved at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary, Nomsa hopes authorities will act swiftly to end this painful chapter.

“All I want is to give my princess a proper goodbye,” the heartbroken mother told reporters. “Two years is too long for any parent to wait to bury their child.”