The n’anga, who wanted the child’s body parts for ritual purposes, paid a deposit of $10 and had not yet settled the balance at the time the crime was discovered.

Police confirmed the murder of the child, Edmore Mutisi and said his mother, Chistina Hofisi (21), has since been arrested and was assisting the police with investigations.

Provincial police spokesman, Inspector Brian Makomeke, said the incident happened last week on Thursday in Nyamatsanga Compound at Southdown Estate in the farming community of Chipinge District.

It is alleged that Hofisi went into an agreement with a Mozambican-based n’anga only identified as Mayeza that she should murder her son and supply him with his left ear in exchange of $20.

Mayeza stays about 10km from the Tamandayi Border and police believe that he was responsible for some of the ritual murders that were recorded in some parts of Chipinge near the border with Mozambique.

“We have since gathered that Mayeza is also on the run from our counterparts in Mozambique as he is wanted in connection with several murder cases that were reported in the area where he stays,” he said.

Insp Makomeke said Hofisi was paid $10, with Mayeza promising to settle the outstanding debt at a later date.

“The crime came to light after Lovemore Madhayo (38), a security guard employed by Southdown Estate discovered the remains of the baby in a bush near Nyamatsanga Compound and reported the matter to the police.

“Investigations led to the arrest of Hofisi and upon interrogations, she admitted to have strangled her son to death. She said Manyoza had asked her to supply him with the baby’s left ear in exchange of $20. We strongly suspect there is more to the murder since a person cannot just kill his or her child for $20,” he said.

Insp Makomeke said when the baby’s body was discovered, the left ear was missing and the body was taken to Chipinge District Hospital mortuary for a post mortem.

He said a manhunt has since been launched for Mayeza, with the police wanting to question him about his involvement in the alleged murder case.

Cases of ritual murders have been on the increase in Chipinge of late, with two women allegedly killed early this year.

Vainah Dhliwayo (17) of Ziyapenduka Village in Chief Mutema’s area was allegedly murdered on March 29 and her body, which had been dumped in a thicket, was found with a deep cut on the throat.

Another woman, Rekerai Sidhuna (29) of Plot 7, Smithfield Farm in Chipinge was found dead in a bush on April 6 after she had gone missing for a day.