News / Local
Woman slits newborn baby's throat soon after giving birth
23 Jul 2016 at 07:50hrs | Views
A WOMAN from Mpopoma suburb in Bulawayo has been arrested for allegedly killing her newborn baby, minutes after giving birth.
Alaika Dube (21) is said to have given birth to a baby boy at home last Saturday and slit his throat with a knife.
Dube allegedly hid the body in a wardrobe and told her boyfriend that she had suffered a miscarriage.
She was exposed when a medical report confirmed that she had given birth, leading to her arrest.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed Dube's arrest.
She said after being told about the purported miscarriage, Dube's boyfriend called an ambulance that took his girlfriend to the hospital where it was discovered that she had actually given birth.
Insp Simango said police acted on information obtained from doctors and launched an investigation.
"The medical report revealed that she did not suffer a miscarriage but had given birth. This led to police officers investigating the matter. They went to her home where they found the newborn baby wrapped in a plastic bag with a deep cut on the neck," said Insp Simango.
She said police officers also found a blood stained kitchen knife and a pair of scissors which could have been used in the commission of the crime.
Insp Simango said Dube's boyfriend had heard the baby crying but she told him that he had been mistaken.
"She told him that he might have not properly heard as there was no child in the house. She allegedly told him that she had lost her baby through miscarriage. The boyfriend rushed to call an ambulance which ferried her to the hospital where doctors confirmed that she had given birth," she said.
Insp Simango urged young couples to be responsible as their actions may have far reaching consequences.
"They should know that indulging in unprotected sex leads to pregnancy. Therefore, they should also take care of the children that are born. In case they cannot look after the children, they should engage relatives and the Department of Social Welfare who may assist in taking care of the children instead of killing them," she said.
Alaika Dube (21) is said to have given birth to a baby boy at home last Saturday and slit his throat with a knife.
Dube allegedly hid the body in a wardrobe and told her boyfriend that she had suffered a miscarriage.
She was exposed when a medical report confirmed that she had given birth, leading to her arrest.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed Dube's arrest.
She said after being told about the purported miscarriage, Dube's boyfriend called an ambulance that took his girlfriend to the hospital where it was discovered that she had actually given birth.
Insp Simango said police acted on information obtained from doctors and launched an investigation.
"The medical report revealed that she did not suffer a miscarriage but had given birth. This led to police officers investigating the matter. They went to her home where they found the newborn baby wrapped in a plastic bag with a deep cut on the neck," said Insp Simango.
She said police officers also found a blood stained kitchen knife and a pair of scissors which could have been used in the commission of the crime.
Insp Simango said Dube's boyfriend had heard the baby crying but she told him that he had been mistaken.
"She told him that he might have not properly heard as there was no child in the house. She allegedly told him that she had lost her baby through miscarriage. The boyfriend rushed to call an ambulance which ferried her to the hospital where doctors confirmed that she had given birth," she said.
Insp Simango urged young couples to be responsible as their actions may have far reaching consequences.
"They should know that indulging in unprotected sex leads to pregnancy. Therefore, they should also take care of the children that are born. In case they cannot look after the children, they should engage relatives and the Department of Social Welfare who may assist in taking care of the children instead of killing them," she said.
Source - Chronicle
