News / National
Zimbabwe woman sells infant via Facebook
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A 27-year-old woman from Bulawayo, Christable Muringani, appeared before Harare magistrate Tilda Mazhande on Wednesday facing charges of human trafficking after allegedly selling her newborn baby through Facebook.
Muringani was remanded in custody until June 25, while her co-accused, 20-year-old Tabeth Chenyika, was released on US$200 bail.
According to state prosecutor Heather Muwokoto, Muringani, who was pregnant at the time, expressed her intention to have her unborn child adopted through a post on a Facebook page called "Adoptions" in January this year. She then connected with Chenyika, and the two conspired to illegally arrange for the infant's adoption soon after birth.
On February 9, Muringani traveled from Bulawayo to Harare, claiming she had been referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital for a fibroids operation. She registered her pregnancy at the Mbuya Nehanda maternity wing of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and delivered a baby girl via elective cesarean section on February 25. Both mother and newborn were discharged on February 29.
Throughout the registration, admission, delivery, and discharge process, Muringani and Chenyika remained in contact. On March 6, the two met in Letombo, Msasa, where Muringani handed over the 10-day-old infant to Chenyika.
Following a tip-off alleging that Muringani had disposed of the newborn, police arrested her on March 29. Subsequent investigations led to Chenyika's arrest and the recovery of the infant, who was placed under the care of the Department of Social Welfare for safekeeping.
The case continues as investigations proceed.
Muringani was remanded in custody until June 25, while her co-accused, 20-year-old Tabeth Chenyika, was released on US$200 bail.
According to state prosecutor Heather Muwokoto, Muringani, who was pregnant at the time, expressed her intention to have her unborn child adopted through a post on a Facebook page called "Adoptions" in January this year. She then connected with Chenyika, and the two conspired to illegally arrange for the infant's adoption soon after birth.
Throughout the registration, admission, delivery, and discharge process, Muringani and Chenyika remained in contact. On March 6, the two met in Letombo, Msasa, where Muringani handed over the 10-day-old infant to Chenyika.
Following a tip-off alleging that Muringani had disposed of the newborn, police arrested her on March 29. Subsequent investigations led to Chenyika's arrest and the recovery of the infant, who was placed under the care of the Department of Social Welfare for safekeeping.
The case continues as investigations proceed.
Source - NewsDay
