'Foetus burning model' set free

Gamuchirai Maziva, the Face of Zimbabwe model who was accused of conniving with her boyfriend to terminate her pregnancy before burning the foetus, was set free after the State was unable to present enough evidence to justify keeping the two on remand.

Maziva (25), who was crowned Miss February Face of Zimbabwe last year, and Nyasha Maridadi (23) were removed from remand.

In the event that the State manages to gather more evidence against the two, they may be issued with summons for trial.

The State started staggering after the court threw out an application to have the model examined by medical doctors to prove termination of pregnancy. That is when the defence counsel Advocate Isaiah Mureriwa applied for removal of the two from remand citing lack of incriminating evidence.

Mr Mureriwa argued that the dismissal of the State's application to take the model for medical examination weakened the State's, leaving it with no other basis to keep the two on remand. Magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe granted the application after hearing arguments from the defence and the State counsel.

Maziva was being accused of terminated the pregnancy with the assistance of her boyfriend Maridadi.

The couple was also facing a charge of contravening Section 8 of the Burial and Cremation Act, which prohibits "dumping of bodies and hindering of burial."

Prosecutor Mr Tungamirai Chakurira alleged that on September 15, Maziva connived with Maridadi to terminate her pregnancy.

After the abortion, it was the State's case that the pair placed the foetus in a metal bin, which they carried to a bush within Zimphos complex where they dumped it. They allegedly set the bin's contents on fire and went away.

It was alleged some people witnessed the couple driving away after dumping the foetus.