Two Years, No Burial: Mum Pleads for Closure in Princess Shoko Murder Case
Two years after the alleged murder of four-year-old Princess Shoko, her mother, Nomsa Sibanda, is still pleading for closure—unable to bury her child because of unresolved DNA identification issues.
Princess was allegedly killed in 2023 by her aunt, Alista Sibanda, and uncle, John Zvivi, who fled to South Africa shortly after the incident.Though both were extradited to Zimbabwe earlier this year, the child’s remains remain unburied at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary in Harare.
In a letter dated June 30, Nomsa, represented by Hamunakwadi and Nyandoro Law Chambers, appealed to the police to facilitate a second DNA test and issue a burial order.
She claims she positively identified the body, which was recovered from a stream along the Harare–Bulawayo Road in 2023. While samples were submitted to the National University of Science and Technology’s Applied Genetic Testing Centre, Nomsa says she has never received official results—despite paying in full.
Her lawyers suspect this may be due to an administrative oversight or technical error that could be corrected by conducting a re-test.
According to H-Metro, DNA results that have circulated on social media reportedly point to a mismatch between Nomsa and the body, suggesting it could be that of an unidentified male child.
Nomsa disputes this and believes it may be a case of mistaken identity or misfiled records. Meanwhile, her daughter’s body has been held at the mortuary since August 2023, with no burial date in sight.
Her lawyers are urging the authorities to resolve the matter within seven days in the interest of transparency and compassion.
Details from court proceedings indicate that in April 2023, Nomsa left Princess and her six-year-old sister in the care of Alista and John in Zvimba.
Prosecutors allege the couple began abusing the children—denying them food and subjecting them to beatings.
On July 23, 2023, Princess reportedly died from the abuse.
To conceal the crime, the pair allegedly placed her body in a sack, stored it in the boot of a Honda Fit, and drove to Kuwadzana Extension, where they dumped her in a stream.
They later informed Nomsa that Princess had died, but failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.
Upon returning to Zimbabwe on August 1, Nomsa filed a missing persons report at ZRP Dzivarasekwa.
A day later, her daughter’s body was discovered in the same stream.
Since their extradition in March, both suspects have appeared in court. Alista has been convicted and sentenced to 24 months in prison under the Children’s Act for abuse.
Her husband, John Zvivi, is set to face trial for Princess’ murder this week.
As legal proceedings continue, Nomsa says she is desperate for one thing—to lay her daughter to rest and find peace after two years of waiting.
