Woman who gave birth, put baby in plastic bag escapes jail

A 26-YEAR-OLD woman was lucky to escape jail after she was sentenced to a wholly-suspended six months in prison for concealing birth of an eight-month-old baby.

Betty Mukombero appeared before Mutare magistrate Sekai Chiundura on Thursday and was sentenced to six months in jail.

The sentence was, however, suspended on condition that she would not be convicted of a similar offence in the next five years.

Charges against Mukombero were that on June 4 in Dangamvura, she felt labour pains as she was eight months pregnant.

She did not seek any assistance or alerted anyone as she chose to remain silent and conceal the birth.

It was the State's case that she gave birth to a live baby in her room.

She then took the baby and placed it in a plastic paper and hid it underneath her bed.

She did not tell anyone about the birth and the child later died.

Thereafter, she went to take a bath.

The matter came to light after another tenant went to take a bath and suspected that the accused might have given birth.

Upon interrogation by other people, Mukombero admitted that she had given birth and narrated all that had happened.

The matter was then reported to police leading to her arrest.

The State said she had no right to act in the manner that she did.

Cuthbert Bhosha prosecuted.