Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza [email protected]
BULAWAYO police have arrested a 19-year-old Makokoba woman for allegedly giving birth to twins and dumping them before trying to conceal the crime by burning the fetuses.
The woman has been identified by police as Praise Chibwanda.
The area where the newborns were dumped is an illegal dumpsite that is used by residents in the area.
Local resident Mrs Elina Malunga said she was surprised when a group of residents gathered next to her home early Saturday morning.
“It was a frightening scene. Two little new borns were dumped next to my yard and they appeared to be burnt. How can a mother do that to her children?” said Mrs Malunga.
Bulawayo provincial police Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the arrest of Chibwanda.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that on the 23 May, a local resident from Makokoba went out to her garden intending to burn waste. She used a rake to put together the waste that was not completely burnt and in the process, a blue paper bag was torn revealing the contents inside it.
“She then saw two fetuses and advised her neighbours and a report was made at Mzilikazi Police Station leading to the arrest of the accused,” said Insp Msebele.
Cases of baby dumping are rampant in Bulawayo.
Two months ago police in Bulawayo launched an investigation after a newborn baby boy was found abandoned and covered with tree branches near the Khami Prison Complex.
The incident was treated by police as a case of exposing an infant.
ZRP has said the baby was discovered by members of the public and was immediately taken for medical assistance.
Bongani Ndlovu