Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched investigations into two separate cases of concealing birth that occurred in Harare on August 12, 2025, that have left residents in Kuwadzana and Budiriro tongue-tied.
In the first case, police said a foetus was discovered wrapped in a blue bed sheet at a dumping site along the Harare–Bulawayo Road in Kuwadzana Phase 3.
The remains were collected and taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.
A few hours later, another foetus was found in Budiriro, wrapped in a plastic bag and dumped in the backyard of a house.
The remains were also transported to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital for a post-mortem.
ZRP national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incidents and appealed to members of the public to come forward with any information that might assist police in tracing the suspects.
“We are calling on anyone who may have seen or heard anything related to these cases to report to their nearest police station immediately. Concealing birth is a serious criminal offence,” he said.
Community members in both suburbs expressed shock, with some calling for more awareness on reproductive health and support for the vulnerable.
Section 67 of the Zimbabwe Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] makes concealing birth a criminal offence.
The law applies when a person disposes of the body of a child in a manner intended to hide the fact of its birth, regardless of whether the child was born alive or dead.
Conviction can result in a fine or imprisonment for up to five years, depending on the circumstances.
Meanwhile, the Police are investigating a case of theft and malicious damage to property which occurred on August 10, 2025, at Plot 9, Rangemore, Bulawayo.
Commissioner Nyathi said three unknown suspects who were driving a silver Toyota Noah allegedly vandalised the complainant’s Honda Civic after having been involved in road rage.
He said the suspects fired shots in the air with an unidentified pistol before removing the battery from the complainant’s vehicle and speeding off.
Online Reporter