'Confused' mother throws newborn in blair toilet

A day old baby has become the talk of a village in Gokwe after it was rescued in good health from a blair toilet a day after it was thrown in by its "confused" mother.

After its rescue, the baby which has since been reunited with its mother was taken for a medical examination and it was certified fit.

On the other hand, its mother Ropafadzo Kudengeya was arrested and brought before Gokwe magistrate, Mr Shepherd Mjanja.

The magistrate sentenced the woman to 12 months in prison.

Six months were suspended for three years while the remainder was commuted to 210 hours of community service.

Circumstances surrounding the matter are that on 2 September the woman gave birth on her own.

Hours after giving birth, she wrapped the baby in a cloth and put it in a plastic bag.

She then headed to a blair toilet and threw it inside and went back home.

The baby was rescued after a neighbour heard baby like cries emanating from the toilet and went to investigate.

After a closer examination, the neighbour noticed that it was a baby and called others.

Frantic efforts were made to rescue the baby and they bore success.

On being questioned, the woman said she was responsible and a report was made to the police.

She told the court that she was in a state of confusion when she committed the offence.

"I did not know what to do and the man who impregnated me stays in Bulawayo so I could not get hold of him," she said. Before the verdict was passed, the woman was made to undergo counselling and was reunited with the baby.