Woman on trial for poisoning students, facing 6 counts of attempted murder |

By a staff reporter

Zvimba, 37, was dragged to the Chinhoyi Magistrate’s Court on Saturday for allegedly adding poison to food to kill her daughter’s schoolmates.

Paidamoyo Makaya of Murombedzi village under Chief Zvimbia was not asked to plead when she appeared before Justice Kapururu who remanded her in custody until June 20 to apply for bail.

The accused was charged with six counts of attempted murder referred to in Art. 189(l) Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.

The indictments say that on June 7, 2024, Makaya prepared rice and soup, which she packed into lunch boxes and gave her daughter instructions on how to share them with her peers at school.

RELATED: 8 students hospitalized for vomiting and abdominal pain after eating poisoned food at school

While at Matoranhembe Primary School in Murombedzi, the accused’s child shared poisoned food with schoolmates who immediately experienced stomach pain and began vomiting.

The victims were taken to Murombedzi Rural Hospital where they received medical attention.

Makaya’s daughter confessed that her mother prepared the food, packed it, and then curiously instructed her on how to share it with her friends.

Meanwhile, police initially reported that eight students of the school were taken to hospital after excessive vomiting caused by eating suspected food, but it turned out to be six sick children.