A 30-year-old woman from Bulawayo has been arrested and charged with concealing the death of her infant after burying the child at a river bank in Mpopoma, at the instruction of a self-proclaimed prophet, without a burial permit.
The woman, Pretty Sibanda of Magwegwe suburb, is being jointly accused with Isaac Gwatinyanya (62).
They appeared before Western Commonage Magistrate, Progress Murandu on a charge of failing to give notice of death to the Registrar and were remanded in custody until January 25.
The court heard that the infant died on September 13, 2023, and the matter was discovered on January 9, 2024.
State prosecutor Tafara Dzimbanhete said the police went to the riverbank and recovered the remains of the infant, leading to the arrest of the duo.
Dzimbanhete narrated that Sibanda gave birth to a son on November 14, 2022. The child, who was staying with both accused parties at a bushy area in Pumula behind Haulin Mine, fell ill on June 7, 2023.
The baby died on September 13, 2023, at around 1:30 am. The following day, the two accused persons buried the remains of the baby at the riverbank without a burial permit.
