News / National
Granny kills new born granddaughter
04 Jun 2014 at 05:04hrs | Views
A WOMAN from Chivi allegedly strangled her daughter's new born baby in a field to avoid the responsibility of taking care of the infant.
Jane Chenzira (age not given) of Chipindu village played midwifery as her daughter gave birth near her homestead before strangling it.
She told the magistrate that she and "her daughter had no means to take care of the baby" as she pleaded guilty to murder before Masvingo provincial magistrate Sibonginkosi Mnkandla.
"I know my crime. I strangled my daughter's baby and the magistrate has said I must go to jail where they are going to take care of me," she said before prison officers whisked her away.
Prosecuting, James Murambiza narrated how on May 29, Chenzira's daughter who was heavily pregnant and staying at the family homestead, went into labour at around 10PM and the mother offered to assist.
"The accused accompanied her to their field, which is near the homestead where she assisted her to give birth," said Murambiza.
The court heard that after giving birth Chenzira instructed her daughter who was still frail, to go back home and collect an empty sack to which she complied, leaving the baby lying on the ground crying.
During her absence Chenzira reportedly held the baby in her arms before strangling it.
"When the daughter returned with the empty sack, she was taken aback to discover that her baby was dead but could not say anything to her mother," said the prosecutor.
As if possessed, Chenzira took the lifeless body from the ground and placed it into an empty sack before proceeding to a nearby anthill where she dug a shallow hole and buried it, the court heard.
On May 3, villagers who suspected foul play, reported the case to the police leading to Chenzira's arrest.
She was remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Jane Chenzira (age not given) of Chipindu village played midwifery as her daughter gave birth near her homestead before strangling it.
She told the magistrate that she and "her daughter had no means to take care of the baby" as she pleaded guilty to murder before Masvingo provincial magistrate Sibonginkosi Mnkandla.
"I know my crime. I strangled my daughter's baby and the magistrate has said I must go to jail where they are going to take care of me," she said before prison officers whisked her away.
Prosecuting, James Murambiza narrated how on May 29, Chenzira's daughter who was heavily pregnant and staying at the family homestead, went into labour at around 10PM and the mother offered to assist.
"The accused accompanied her to their field, which is near the homestead where she assisted her to give birth," said Murambiza.
The court heard that after giving birth Chenzira instructed her daughter who was still frail, to go back home and collect an empty sack to which she complied, leaving the baby lying on the ground crying.
During her absence Chenzira reportedly held the baby in her arms before strangling it.
"When the daughter returned with the empty sack, she was taken aback to discover that her baby was dead but could not say anything to her mother," said the prosecutor.
As if possessed, Chenzira took the lifeless body from the ground and placed it into an empty sack before proceeding to a nearby anthill where she dug a shallow hole and buried it, the court heard.
On May 3, villagers who suspected foul play, reported the case to the police leading to Chenzira's arrest.
She was remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Source - chronicle
