Woman in labour drugged, robbed of her newborn babies

A 25-year-old Masvingo woman claimed she was offered a lift to hospital by four unknown people over the weekend who then allegedly drugged her after she had gone into labour along the Ngundu-Tanganda highway before they vanished with the twin babies she had delivered.

Ms Rejoice Mahachi of Maruveke Village in Nyajena communal lands was on her way to Chiredzi General Hospital when she was allegedly offered transport by three unknown women and a man. She later gave birth in their vehicle.

Ms Mahachi was forced to drop off a kombi that had earlier on offered her a lift to Chiredzi after the crew realised that she was experiencing labour pains and could give birth in their vehicle. Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero yesterday confirmed the incident and said the woman was discovered by security guards in a bushy area near a telecommunications complex, several kilometres from the Ngundu-Tanganda Road.

Inspector Zhanero said they had since launched a manhunt for the unknown suspects saying police would charge them with kidnapping.

"We are still investigating the case after Rejoice Mahachi made a report that she had been drugged by four unidentified people who took away her newly born twin babies and dumped her in a bush," said Inspector Zhanero.

It is believed that on the day in question, Ms Mahachi left her home in Nyajena communal lands intending to go to Chiredzi General Hospital to give birth since she was in labour. She allegedly arrived at Renco Mine turn-off along the Ngundu-Tanganda highway and boarded a kombi that was heading to Chiredzi.

After travelling for a short distance, the kombi crew allegedly stopped and ordered Ms Mahachi out claiming that her condition was now a risk as she could give birth anytime.

Ms Mahachi was allegedly dropped at Chizhou bus stop where after a few minutes she was offered a lift by a black unknown vehicle which had three female passengers and a male driver. She allegedly started experiencing labour pains and the three women helped her to deliver twin babies.

After successfully giving birth the four allegedly forced her to drink an unknown liquid which she did resulting in her falling unconscious. Ms Mahachi allegedly regained consciousness and discovered that she was in a bush near a gravel road in an area she failed to identify. It is further alleged that the unknown suspects who had allegedly taken away her children returned and demanded her cellphone but she told them that she did not have one.

They then drove away and disappeared. The woman allegedly managed to walk to a nearby telecommunications facility where she narrated her ordeal to security guards who were manning the facility. The guards helped the woman to make a report at Triangle Police Station.