A post-mortem on the toddler showed that she sustained a fractured neck and bruises as a result of the alleged rape.

The man has appeared before Chinhoyi magistrate Prosper Gayihayi facing charges of rape and murder. He was remanded in custody to October 13.

According to prosecutor Clarence Majongosi, the toddler was left in the company of her uncle and brother last week.

At night the uncle woke up the girl and her brother and asked them to accompany him to the toilet. As soon as they stepped into the darkness, he raped the girl in full view of her brother.

It is alleged that the uncle led the brother back into the hut before raping the girl for the second time until she fell unconscious.

On realising that the toddler was unconscious, the uncle then dragged her into the house and went to sleep but woke up in the morning to rape her for the third time.

He then dragged the girl outside the hut and dumped her where a passer-by found her.

The toddler, who was still unconscious, was taken to a relative’s home and then to Zvimba Rural District Hospital where she died on arrival.

Magistare Gayihayi ordered the uncle to undergo a psychiatric examination.