A postmortem examination conducted on a one-year-three-month-old baby from Mbabala in Choma has confirmed that the child died as a result of sexual assault. The infant passed away on 14 November 2025 under unclear circumstances, with police now pursuing her 20-year-old stepfather as the prime suspect.

Southern Province Police Commanding Officer Moono Namalongo disclosed that the postmortem, carried out on 17 November, revealed extensive genital and anal injuries, as well as internal damage that resulted in severe bleeding.

Mr. Namalongo said the stepfather fled the scene shortly after the incident and is currently on the run. Police have since launched a manhunt and intensified investigations in an effort to track him down.

According to authorities, the tragedy occurred after the child’s mother left her in the care of the stepfather while she attended to business errands. Upon returning later that morning, she found her baby unresponsive inside the house, while the suspect was nowhere to be found.

Mr. Namalongo assured that further updates will be provided as investigations continue.