Kudakwashe Kutamahufa

MBERENGWA – A 27-year-old woman has been sentenced to 36 months in prison for infanticide.

Talent Privilege Sibanda from Madhuve Village in Mberengwa appeared before Zvishavane Magistrates court facing infanticide charges.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Sibanda separated with her husband sometime in June 2023. They reunited in February 2024 when Sibanda was pregnant with the unborn child of another man.

On October 27, at around 7pm Sibanda gave birth to a baby girl while she was alone at home.

She strangled the baby before burying it in a pit, which was a few meters from her home.

The matter came to light when Sibanda’s uncle Peterson Tauro noticed that Sibanda was no longer pregnant.

Tauro reported the matter to the police leading to Sibanda’s arrest and showed the police where she had buried the baby.

Meanwhile, a 22-year- old homeless man landed himself in trouble after he stole a baby blanket on the washing line.

Malcolm Chirume was sentenced to six months in prison when he appeared before Gweru Magistrate Beaulity Dube for theft.

Magistrate Dube suspended three months for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence in the future.

The remaining three months were suspended on condition he performs 105 hours of community service at Isolation Clinic.

According to the State Tendai Machakara of CBZ Nehosho (40) put a baby blanket worth R100 on the washing line.

On October 28, Chirume took the baby blanket on the washing line. Machakara asked the court to give a custodial sentence fearing that Chirume would continue stealing her clothes if he was left out of custody.

Chirume who lives in an unfinished house he invaded said he wanted to use the blanket to cover himself at night.