In a horrific domestic fight in Cowdray Park last week, a 11-month-old child was killed by her aunt’s boyfriend with a brick when she was sleeping in her mother’s arms.

According to a source, Taboka Ndlovu (25) allegedly threw a brick through a window in a fit of rage while threatening to beat up his girlfriend, sister-in-law and mother-in-law who were watching him fight his brother-in-law outside.

Prior to the incident, Ndlovu had a domestic fight with his live-in girlfriend Vast Phiri (19) which led her to run back to her mother who stays in the same neighbourhood with her elder sister Shylene Phiri (24), the mother of the victim.

“He followed her here around 7pm drunk demanding to see his one-year-old daughter. Vast came out with the child and he tried to violently snatch the baby from her but she quickly ran back to the house with the baby,” said the source.

Before he could further harass the family, Vast’s brother came to the rescue and fought the drunk Ndlovu.

“Ndlovu was overpowered and he didn’t take it well. That’s when he picked up the brick on the ground and threw it to the onlookers through the window. It landed on Shylene’s child that was sleeping peacefully in her hands,” said the source.

The baby sustained a swollen forehead and was rushed to hospital where she was admitted in intensive care but died later around midnight.

The matter was reported to the Luveve police.

Bulawayo provincial public relations officer Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident and said they were still investigating.

“For now we appeal to the members of the public to solve their differences amicably and not expose children to those differences. Treat people under the influence of alcohol with caution,” said Msebele.

Meanwhile, Ndlovu has been on the run since the incident.

— BMetro