CHINHOYI — In a gruesome act of suspected infanticide that has left residents of Gadzema Township in Chinhoyi shell-shocked, two women allegedly connived to kill a newly-born baby boy by suffocating him with a towel.
The local court, presided over by magistrate Nyarai Tukwa, heard that the women tied the baby with a towel around its head, covering its nose and mouth.
The two accused persons, Natasha Phiri (23) and Linda Chiguta (28), who are related as niece and aunt respectively, face murder charges. They both pleaded guilty.
For the State, prosecutor Lucky Dube said on July 17 2011 at House Number 77 Gadzema Township, Phiri gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
It is alleged that she told Chiguta that she was unable to fend for the baby and intended to kill it. Phiri allegedly expressed fear to perform the heinous act and requested her aunt to do it on her behalf.
The court heard that Chiguta took a towel and suffocated the infant, leading to its instant death.
In a bid to cover up for their offence, the pair allegedly took the body and buried it at the now defunct Alaska Mine, 25 kilometres outside Chinhoyi.
The pair was remanded in custody to August 4 for trial.
