Woman strangles new born baby

Danisa Masuku
A married woman from Lupane gave birth to a baby boy and strangled him to death before hiding the corpse under her bed.

The woman, Sandile Mdlongwa, andA� her husband, Gerald Moyo are from the Nzwanzi area in Lupane under village head Robson Lusinga.

A police source said Mdlongwa gave birth last Friday at around 5pm and strangled the infant to death.

In a bid to conceal her sinful act, she put the corpse in a bucket and hid it under their matrimonial bed.

The source said she confided in a neighbour who promised to keep the secret.

But the neighbourA� told Mdlongwaa��s mother-in-law leading to a report to the village head Robson Lusinga.

Mdlongwa was then hauled before Lusingaa��s traditional court.

When she was asked about the infanticide she said she did not want her child to suffer on earth.

a�?I didna��t want our child to suffer because there was no money for preparation and for his upkeep. I didna��t want to see him suffer because my husband is not gainfully employed,a�? she said.

But her husband said she was lying that he could not fend for the child.

a�?It is not true that I fail to support my children because I am always hired to do piece jobs by neighbours,a�? he said.

The matter has since been referred to the police.

Frantic efforts to get a comment from acting Matabeleland North police spokesperson Sergeant Mashona were fruitless.