Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
Police in Nyazura have arrested a 34-year-old married woman for allegedly concealing the birth of her baby boy whom she went on to bury in a shallow grave in a hill close to her homestead.
Maria Munetsi Zhuwaki (34) was arrested following the discovery of the body of the infant by a juvenile neighbour who informed his grandmother (60) who made a police report.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the matter and said Zhuwaki’s and her husband Fungai Mutiro (40) have four children. Mutiro was however disputing authoring the pregnancy accusing her of infidelity.
“Zhuwaki is married to Mutiro and have four children. Zhuwaki was pregnant and her husband was denying responsibility of the pregnancy and accusing her of infidelity.
“On November 5 2025 at around 5pm the accused person who was pregnant experienced labour pains. She then went into a tobacco barn which is at her homestead and gave birth to a stillborn baby boy. She placed the infant into a bucket and left it in the tobacco barn.
“On the same day at around 7pm, Zhuwaki collected a bucket containing the infant and took it to a hill which is behind her homestead, buried it in a shallow grave and covered it with a rock.
“On November 7 2025 at around 7.30pm a male juvenile aged 15 of Goneso, Village Nyazura, who is accused person’s neighbour went to feed his dog and discovered the body of the infant besides the dog. The juvenile informed his grandmother who is the informant.
“On November 8 2025, the informant reported the matter at ZRP Nyazura. Police attended scene and arrested the accused person. The body of the infant was taken to Rusape General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem. Investigations are underway,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
