News / National
Woman steals churchmate's baby 'to save marriage'
07 Sep 2018 at 01:43hrs | Views
IN a desperate bid to save her childless marriage, a 23-year-old woman from Highlands suburb in Zvishavane stole a seven-month-old baby from her churchmate.
Ruth Sibanda was dragged to court by Rejoice Moyo, the child's mother.
She appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Shepherd Mjanja charged with unlawful possession of a baby.
Sibanda pleaded guilty and was ordered to perform 840 hours of community service at Lundi Clinic.
In her mitigation, Sibanda said she wanted to save her marriage which was crumbling because she had failed to give her husband a child.
"Your worship, l was desperately trying to save my marriage. I have been a subject of ridicule by my in-laws and my husband because l am barren," she said.
The court heard that sometime in June this year, Sibanda met Moyo at Sungano Apostolic Church and the two became friends.
Sibanda lied and introduced herself to Moyo as Rutendo Shumba from Dadaya High School.
From then on, she would occasionally sleep at Moyo's house.
On 7 August, she went to the complainant's house and found her with her two daughters aged 15 and seven months.
She stayed at the house for three days.
On 9 August, Sibanda was left in custody of the two daughters when Moyo went to town to buy some groceries.
Sibanda sneaked away with the baby and proceeded to her home.
She was arrested by police after several days, following a tip-off from her neighbours.
Monica Mungwena represented the State.
Ruth Sibanda was dragged to court by Rejoice Moyo, the child's mother.
She appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Shepherd Mjanja charged with unlawful possession of a baby.
Sibanda pleaded guilty and was ordered to perform 840 hours of community service at Lundi Clinic.
In her mitigation, Sibanda said she wanted to save her marriage which was crumbling because she had failed to give her husband a child.
"Your worship, l was desperately trying to save my marriage. I have been a subject of ridicule by my in-laws and my husband because l am barren," she said.
The court heard that sometime in June this year, Sibanda met Moyo at Sungano Apostolic Church and the two became friends.
From then on, she would occasionally sleep at Moyo's house.
On 7 August, she went to the complainant's house and found her with her two daughters aged 15 and seven months.
She stayed at the house for three days.
On 9 August, Sibanda was left in custody of the two daughters when Moyo went to town to buy some groceries.
Sibanda sneaked away with the baby and proceeded to her home.
She was arrested by police after several days, following a tip-off from her neighbours.
Monica Mungwena represented the State.
Source - bmetro
