Woman shares heart-wrenching story behind kidnapping of newborn baby

A 39-year-old woman from Pumula South suburb in Bulawayo has opened up about the devastating circumstances that led her to kidnap a two-day-old baby from Mpilo Central Hospital in September 2023, an act that shocked the local community.

Anita Khumalo was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for the crime, which resulted in her being incarcerated at Mlondolozi Female Prison, part of Khami Maximum Prison. During a recent Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Family Week event, Khumalo shared the deeply personal and painful factors that drove her to make the fateful decision.

"I think most people read my story on social media. I am the one who kidnapped a two-day-old baby at Mpilo Hospital," she began. "The pressure of keeping my marriage and dealing with my in-laws made me take the illegal route."

Khumalo revealed that her actions were spurred by a tragic miscarriage she suffered in June 2023, followed by intense emotional and familial pressure. At the time, she was due to give birth in September, but the miscarriage left her unable to carry the pregnancy to term. However, instead of confiding in her husband, who was away in South Africa, Khumalo continued to fake her pregnancy, a deception that her in-laws soon began to notice.

As the days leading up to her due date approached, Khumalo's desperation grew. She feared that her marriage would crumble and that her husband might seek another woman because she had been unable to give him a child.

"After the miscarriage, I felt immense pressure from my in-laws. I was convinced my husband was about to move on with another woman. On 10 September, I went to Mpilo Hospital and formulated a plan to steal a baby from a young mother who had given birth the day before," she said.

Khumalo spoke of meeting an 18-year-old mother at the hospital, whom she initially helped with transport. She then used the opportunity to execute her plan, abandoning the young mother in the Central Business District and taking the baby home to Ntabazinduna, where she was living.

However, her deception was soon uncovered. Her in-laws, suspicious of the newborn, alerted the authorities, leading to her arrest.

"I was caught when my in-laws suspected that the baby was not mine," Khumalo recalled. "It was a huge mistake, and I lost everything."

Following her conviction, Khumalo had one third of her sentence remitted, reducing her time in prison to two years and eight months. She has served one year and three months, with a year and five months left to complete her sentence.

Reflecting on her actions, Khumalo expressed deep regret and offered a message to others facing similar struggles. "To anyone who needs a baby, please do things the right way. There are legal ways to adopt a child. There's no need to end up like me, separated from your children and starting life from scratch."

She lamented the losses she had experienced, including the end of her marriage and job, and the strain on her relationships. "As I speak, I'm sure my husband and the woman I was trying to prevent from being with him are together now. You lose so much in life. Even if you learn lessons in prison, you still lose," she said.

Khumalo also revealed that she has not seen her three children from a previous marriage since her arrest and remains unaware of the state of her house in Pumula South.

Despite the overwhelming sense of loss, Khumalo expressed gratitude for the support she has received from her family during her time in prison. They have consistently visited her and provided the necessities she needs.

"I'm thankful to my family for their support," she said. "They've been there for me, even though I have made a huge mistake."

Khumalo's story serves as a sobering reminder of the pressures faced by some individuals and the lengths they may go to under emotional and familial stress. Her words offer a cautionary tale about the consequences of misguided decisions and the importance of seeking help through legal and ethical channels.