Police in Muzokomba, Zimbabwe, have arrested a 24-year-old woman named Mary Rukobo for grabbing her two-month-old and two-year-old children by the legs and beating them with stones.
She misread Psalm 137 verse 9 after reading it in isolation instead of reading the whole chapter to get the right context, according to eyewitnesses who spoke to local news platforms. "Blessed is the one who takes your children and dashes them against the rocks," the scripture says.
While her brother is fighting for his life in hospital, the two-month-old infant died instantly. During questioning, Mary said she had heard a 'divine voice' telling her to carry out the attack.
Police released a statement confirming her arrest;
"Mary Rukobo (24) has been arrested by Muzokomba police in connection with a murder that took place in Mashangana village, Buhera on 19 January 2023.
The woman allegedly confessed to villagers that she killed her two children by repeatedly banging their heads on a stone after hearing a voice during a time of prayer.
Calvin Maputsa, a two-month-old, suffered head injuries and died on the spot, while another child, a two-year-old, had a swollen head and was taken to Murambinda Mission Hospital.