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Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
South African police have arrested a 27-year-old Zimbabwean woman for infanticide after she killed her newly born baby and hid him in an empty stand in the Morebeng.
The incident occurred at Retake village under Limpopo province on Friday last week.
Provincial police spokesperson Lt Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed the incident yesterday saying the suspect, whose name will be released at a later stage, had been charged for concealment of a birth and would soon appear for trial at the Morebeng Magistrates Court.
“Police were notified about the incident and upon arrival with the emergency personnel, found the said newly born baby in the unoccupied yard and he was certified dead at the scene,” said Lt Col Ledwaba.
“Following investigations a Zimbabwean woman aged 27 residing not far from the scene was arrested in the same village on Friday 16 June 2023 at 07:30 in the morning.
“She will appear before Morebeng Magistrates Court facing a charge of concealment of birth.
Limpopo provincial police commander, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe yesterday applauded the police for managing to track down the suspect.
Another 29-year-old Zimbabwean woman was recently arrested for drowning her newly-born baby girl in a 20-litre bucket of water in South Africa and her trial has been set for May 14 at the Brits Magistrates Court in Gauteng province.
Prior to the infanticide, Wendy Tapiwa Chipo of Rietfonten, had allegedly tried to abort the pregnancy without success.
It is alleged that after drowning the baby in the 20-litre bucket, Chipo then put the body into a plastic bag. With the assistance of her friend, they buried the baby in a nearby bush.
The offence was discovered when the friend could no longer keep the secret and reported the matter to police.
She led police to the shallow grave where they had buried the baby and her remains were recovered.
Chipo was arrested a day later while heading for Pretoria.
Online Reporter