adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo correspondent
A 17-year old juvenile from Masvingo’s Rujeko Suburb allegedly dumped her newly-born baby in a water-filled sewage trench in a case of supected infanticide, police said yesterday.
The body of a one day-old baby was found by a group of children who were playing near Mucheke River in Rujeko B.
Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Peter Zhanero said the incident happened on Tuesday at around 3pm.
He said police have since arrested the suspect who cannot be named.
“I confirm receiving a report to the effect that a body of a one day-old baby was retrieved from a water-filled sewage trench. We have since picked up a 17-year-old girl for questioning and assisting with investigations. The suspect will soon appear in court facing charges of infanticide,” he said.
Chief Insp Zhanero said the baby’s body was retrieved by police who attended the scene after a report was made by a resident, Ngonidzashe Marambire, also from Rujeko B.
“Marambire was in her field near Mucheke River when she heard a group of small boys making noise. The boys were playing near a sewage trench and started pointing at something and making noise.
“When she moved closer to investigate, she was taken aback by the sight of a baby’s body submerged in the water-filled sewage trench.
“She then rushed to make a report at Rujeko Police Post. Police attended the scene and retrieved the body before taking it to Masvingo General Hospital mortuary for postmortem,” he said.
Online Reporter