News / National
Midwife in court for trafficking an infant
2 hrs ago | Views
A midwife stationed at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Betty Sena, appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court on Wednesday facing charges of human trafficking and unlawfully falsifying the death of an infant. Sena, who was remanded in custody, will face a bail ruling on December 3.
The charges stem from an alleged incident that occurred between February and March 2024, during which Sena allegedly coordinated with Evelyn Zisengwe, Dion Tore, and Ayanda Zisengwe to facilitate the unlawful adoption of a female infant, now aged 9 months.
The State contends that Sena, who is employed as a midwife, played a pivotal role in this human trafficking scheme. The allegations suggest that she induced Evelyn Zisengwe to deliver her child prematurely, with Zisengwe giving birth at 28 weeks on February 25, 2024.
Further allegations claim that on March 5, 2024, Sena handed over the newborn infant to Dion Tore at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, after forging documents to make it appear as if Tore had given birth to the baby. The court was informed that Sena used her position to facilitate the premature infant's unsafe discharge from the hospital before the baby was deemed fit to leave.
The State further alleges that Sena created a fake death record, falsely stating that Zisengwe's child had passed away. It is also alleged that Sena received US$20 for her involvement in the illegal adoption process.
CID Counter Terrorism Unit detectives arrested Sena after she was implicated by Dion Tore and Evelyn Zisengwe. The case has drawn widespread attention due to the severity of the charges and the involvement of a healthcare professional in the alleged trafficking scheme.
Mercy Masamvi represented the State during the proceedings.
The charges stem from an alleged incident that occurred between February and March 2024, during which Sena allegedly coordinated with Evelyn Zisengwe, Dion Tore, and Ayanda Zisengwe to facilitate the unlawful adoption of a female infant, now aged 9 months.
The State contends that Sena, who is employed as a midwife, played a pivotal role in this human trafficking scheme. The allegations suggest that she induced Evelyn Zisengwe to deliver her child prematurely, with Zisengwe giving birth at 28 weeks on February 25, 2024.
The State further alleges that Sena created a fake death record, falsely stating that Zisengwe's child had passed away. It is also alleged that Sena received US$20 for her involvement in the illegal adoption process.
CID Counter Terrorism Unit detectives arrested Sena after she was implicated by Dion Tore and Evelyn Zisengwe. The case has drawn widespread attention due to the severity of the charges and the involvement of a healthcare professional in the alleged trafficking scheme.
Mercy Masamvi represented the State during the proceedings.
Source - the herald
