The ManicaPost
Prayer Muronzerei
Post Reporter
A TEENAGER from Munyoro Village under Chief Zimunya was sentenced to perform 410 hours of community service by a Mutare court after she was found guilty of strangling her new-born baby and burying the corpse along Odzi River.
Moreblessing Sharata (19) appeared before magistrate, Ms Prisca Manhibi, facing infanticide charges as defined in Section 48 of the Criminal Law.
She allegedly acted in accomplice with her mother, Chipo Sharata and grandmother, Jane Muzerenga to commit the crime.
Prosecuting, Ms Tafadzwa Chiwanza said on August 24, police received a tip-off that Moreblessing was not nursing a baby yet she was expecting, and the pregnancy had suddenly disappeared.
“The police acted on the tip-off by going to the accused’s house to carry out investigations. When interrogated, she denied the allegations, and said she was only experiencing her menstrual period. The accused insisted she had never fallen pregnant,” said Ms Chiwanza.
However, the police continued with their investigations, leading to the discovery of the baby’s body on August 26 along Odzi River where it was buried.
Probed further, Moreblessing eventually admitted to giving birth to the baby on August 18, but killed it on the same day.
She implicated her mother and grandmother.
She was subsequently arrested.
The body was exhumed and taken to mortuary for post mortem.
Ms Manhibi cautioned her to abstain from indulging in sex without being prepared for the consequences.
“Do not get involved in sexual activities if you are not ready for motherhood,” she said.
