A couple residing in Cranborne, Harare, was allegedly caught red-handed setting a foetus on fire in a metal bin before dumping the container within the Zimphos company complex in Msasa. The incident occurred on September 15 this year after Gamuchirai Maziva (25) allegedly terminated her pregnancy in connivance with her boyfriend Nyasha Maridadi (23). REPORT BY CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER
It is alleged on the day in question, the two lovers connived and terminated the pregnancy, whose stage was not disclosed, and placed the foetus in a metal bin which they carried inside Zimphos premises before setting the contents ablaze. Witnesses who saw Maziva and Maridadi lighting the making the fire became suspicious and trailed them under cover of darkness. The witnesses later drew closer to the bin after the lovebirds had vanished into the night and discovered a burning human foetus.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the pair’s arrest. According to court papers, Maziva declined to undergo medical examination and her lawyer even wrote to the police advising them of her reluctance to be medically examined.
Both Maziva and Maridadi were not asked to plead to charges of unlawful termination of pregnancy or alternatively Contravening Section 8 of the Burial and Cremation Act. Provincial magistrate Olivia Mariga remanded them to November 8 on $100 bail.
Tungamirai Chakurira appeared for the State while Isaiah Mureriwa represented the pair.
