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Filbert Ruwende Chronicle Reporter—
A 20-YEAR-OLD new mum killed herself days after giving birth by leaping out of the second floor window of a hospital maternity ward. Epifania Dube, believed to be from Ntabazinduna, left a suicide note accusing her in-laws of “hating [her]”, according to sources. She also apologised to her husband for infecting him with HIV.
Police are investigating.
Nobuhle Ndlovu, the chief executive officer at the United Bulawayo Hospitals, said Dube’s body was discovered shortly after 11PM on Saturday.
She told Chronicle: “We’re not sure what transpired but her body was found outside the maternity building by our security personnel. Her body is still at the hospital awaiting post-mortem.”
Ndlovu said Dube delivered her baby on March 17 and remained in hospital because the baby could not feed.
“The mother was young, so we kept her at the hospital so that we monitor them,” she said.
Dube was alone in her room while the baby was at an intensive care unit.
Sources at the hospital said shortly after giving birth, Dube’s in-laws and her husband had visited.
“From their discussions, it appears their relations were strained,” said one witness.
“She was alone in her room and most people had gone to sleep. We only woke up to be told she had died.”
The source said Dube left a note in her room in which she was apologising to her husband for infecting him with HIV.
In the letter, said the witness, she also said her husband’s relatives hated her.
Sidumisile Mabena