A two-month-old infant from Mabuthweni in Bulawayo tragically died after breastfeeding from the mother who reportedly had taken crystal meth, police confirmed.
According to Bulawayo police deputy spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu, the 22-year-old mother used the drug, crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth, before nursing.
Both mother and baby later fell asleep and when she woke up the next morning, the infant was unresponsive.
“We are investigating a case of sudden death which occurred at Mabutweni, Bulawayo, where a male infant aged two months was discovered dead in the morning,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
According to police, the mother took crystal meth around 9pm on Monday while with a friend. She then breastfed her baby and went to sleep.
“Upon waking up around 9 am the next day, the mother realised the child had no signs of life. The body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary for post-mortem,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
Police have since warned against drug abuse, noting that it can severely impair judgement, coordination, and decision-making, often leading to negligence, risky behaviour, or tragedy.
In a separate incident, a 28-year-old woman from Emthunzini suburb was arrested after she was found in possession of a python skin.
Asst Insp Ndlovu said the police acted on a tip-off that Sindisiwe Sibanda was skinning a snake at her home.
When police arrived, Sibanda reportedly confessed that she had found the snake in a nearby bush, killed it, skinned it, and burnt the flesh.
Sibanda is being charged for possessing a specially protected animal.
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