Transporter Linked To Death Of ECD Learner In Chiredzi Flees After Confession

Police in Chiredzi have launched a manhunt for a school transporter who allegedly fled after leaving a written confession linked to the death of an Early Childhood Development (ECD) learner at Chiredzi Government Primary School last week, reported ZBC News.

The learner, Steadfast Makondo, went missing around midday on Tuesday while returning home from school.

Her school transporter reportedly raised the alarm after failing to find her when he arrived to pick her up, and her disappearance was reported to the police.

A joint search involving teachers from Hippo Valley High School and Chiredzi Government Primary School, members of the local community, and the police led to the discovery of her body in a bushy area in New Town, about 500 metres from the school.

Steadfast’s father, Travor Makondo, said he could not understand how their daughter went missing without the school authorities taking immediate action. He said:

“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.”

Speaking to ZBC News last week, school transporter Lovemore Muchono said he had dropped Steadfast at school on Tuesday morning and raised the alarm as soon as he realised she was missing. He said:

“I collect four children around that time, and when I arrived at the school, only three were there.

“I asked a colleague to help drop off the three while I stayed to look for Steadfast, but I could not find her.”

It has since emerged that Lovemore Muchono wrote in a letter that Steadfast suffocated in his vehicle after being left inside with the windows closed.

The alleged confession, now reportedly with local police, says the child did not get out of the vehicle when they arrived at school in the morning.

Muchono is said to have driven to his workplace, unaware that Steadfast was still in the car. After parking with the windows closed, he continued with his duties and only realised what had happened during his lunch break.

The child’s body was found on Wednesday morning in a bushy area near the town.