She Was Forgotten In Transporter’s Car: Shocking Details Emerge On Death Of Chiredzi ECD Student Steadfast Makondo

Chiredzi Tragedy: ECD Child Allegedly Forgotten In Transporter’s Car

The horrific death of four-year-old Steadfast Makondo has taken a chilling turn. Shocking new details allege the ECD student suffocated after being forgotten inside her school transporter’s car for hours. The transporter, a local councillor, is now on the run after allegedly leaving a written confession.

The tragedy unfolded in Chiredzi last week. Steadfast Makondo was reported missing on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, after failing to return home from Chiredzi Government Primary School. Her body was discovered the following day, Wednesday, 28 January, in Chiredzi’s Newtown area.

Initial police reports, issued by national spokesperson Paul Nyati on Thursday, 29 January, stated the body was found with multiple bruises. A source has now revealed a starkly different sequence of events, centring on Ward 19 councillor and transporter Lovemore Muchono.

A Confession Letter Left Behind

According to the source, Muchono fled but allegedly left a detailed confession note in his car. The note reportedly describes a catastrophic oversight. It states that on the morning of Tuesday, 27 January, Muchono collected Steadfast and other children for school.

“He said he took the child to school and forget to drop her off when he dropped others. He went to work and parked his car while Steadfast was inside.”

The confession, as relayed by the source, claims Muchono only discovered the tragedy at lunchtime. He had returned to his vehicle, intending to collect children from school. The note alleges Steadfast had already suffocated.

A Grisly Cover-Up Attempt

The alleged confession details a panicked attempt to hide the incident. It states that after finding the child dead, Muchono took the body to Chitsanga Hill and left it there. He then proceeded to the school.

“After realising the dead child, he took the body to Chitsanga Hill and left it there and went to school where he pretended that the child was missing and even went to the teacher to ask about the whereabouts of the child.”

The note further claims he later moved the body from Chitsanga Hill to the Newtown location where it was found, a site roughly 500 metres from the school. Masvingo deputy provincial police spokesperson Masauso Patinyu said he was yet to receive the official report on these developments. The child’s body was taken to Bulawayo for a post-mortem; results are pending.

A Family Demands Answers

The Makondo family is grappling with unimaginable grief and seeking clarity. In an interview with ZBC News, the child’s mother, Khongelani Livombo, expressed her anguish and frustration with the school’s initial response.

“I tried to look for my child, hoping she would be found safe, but I was shocked when I was informed that she had been found dead. What pains me most is that the school authorities seemed unbothered about her disappearance, even though it happened while she was at school.”

The child’s father, Travor Makondo, shared his devastation. Steadfast’s aunt, Precious Livombo, voiced suspicions of foul play upon seeing the body. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Chiredzi community, raising urgent questions about the safety of ECD learners during school transportation and handover.

National Debate On Child Safety

This tragedy occurred amidst a devastating wave of child fatalities in Masvingo province. Just days before, two other minors, Elizabeth Munetsi (14) and Shepherd Makonye (9), were killed in Zaka while walking home from school. Their alleged murderer, an uncle, is in custody. The Zimbabwe Republic Police has issued a stern warning. Commissioner P. Nyathi urged heightened vigilance.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges parents and guardians to take full responsibility for the safety of their children, particularly primary and ECD learners, by accompanying them to and from school.”

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has also been drawn into the debate. Patrick Zumbo, the Ministry’s Deputy Director for Communications and Advocacy, emphasised institutional responsibility.

“As a Ministry, the safety of our learners is our greatest concern. Teaching and non-teaching staff are responsible for children while at school. There must be a proper handover and takeover of ECD learners.”

Steadfast Makondo was laid to rest on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, at Gonakudzingwa farm 16 in Chikombedzi. The police investigation continues as the search for Lovemore Muchono remains active.