BULAWAYO- A 24-year-old woman has been arrested after a newborn baby was found dumped in a neighbour’s vegetable garden in the early hours of Sunday.
The tot later died in hospital.
Priviledge Ncube, of Nkulumane 5, is accused of giving birth at her home before allegedly wrapping the baby and leaving it in a nearby yard, Bulawayo police said.
The incident occurred around 4AM on May 3 when Ncube allegedly delivered the baby boy at her residence. She is then alleged to have gone to a neighbour’s house and dumped the infant in a vegetable garden.
The baby was only discovered hours later at around 3PM after a resident heard unusual sounds.
“I heard what sounded like a puppy crying in my garden,” a neighbour said. “When I went to check, I was shocked to find a newborn baby covered with leaves and soil.”
The infant was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital but later died.
Police said investigations were aided by information from residents who had noticed a young woman in the area who appeared to have recently been pregnant.
“Upon being interviewed, the suspect admitted that she had given birth earlier that morning and had dumped the infant where it was later found,” said Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ndlovu.
Neighbours told reporters they had heard Ncube in distress during the night.
“She was whimpering in pain,” said one resident. “When some of us checked, we were told she had a stomach ache, so we didn’t suspect anything serious.”
The man believed to be her boyfriend, who was living with her, said he had no idea she was pregnant.
“I honestly didn’t know she was expecting,” he said. “Her stomach was swollen, but she kept saying she wasn’t feeling well. I thought it was just an illness.”
Police have urged members of the public to seek help in cases of crisis pregnancies and appealed to families to provide support to young women.
“We urge the public, especially the youth, to seek counseling and guidance from elders, health professionals, or community leaders before making irreversible decisions,” Ndlovu said.
“Parents and guardians must also play an active role in supporting their children.”
Ncube is expected to appear in court soon, facing charges related to concealing birth and exposing an infant.
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