A 40-YEAR-OLD maid from Mabelreign, Harare, who was hauled before the courts after being caught breastfeeding her employer’s 11-month-old son in a desperate bid to calm him down, was yesterday instructed to undergo medical tests before the court passes sentence.
BY PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI SENIOR REPORTER
Shillar Chiota, who was employed as a domestic worker in the Harare suburb, was convicted of ill-treating the child after she pleaded guilty to the charge during trial before Harare magistrate Blessing Murwisi.
Chiota, however, indicated to the court that she did not have an ulterior motive as she was simply trying calm down the baby whom she said was giving her trouble.
Prosecutor Patience Chimusaru urged the court to impose a custodial sentence on the accused person whose moral blameworthiness she said was very high.
“Her behaviour is expected of youthful women or teenagers who are still dreaming or wishing to breastfeed in their lives, not the accused person who is a mother of three,” Chimusaru said in aggravation.
“It boggles the mind as to what she was imagining when she breastfed the baby. She breached the trust that was bestowed in her of guarding the baby against danger.”
Chimusaru said instead of taking care of the baby, she decided to expose her to a health hazard.
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“The reason of her breastfeeding a child which is not hers is only best known to her,” the prosecutor added.
Allegations against Chiota are that on April 13 at around 9pm, she was left playing with the baby in a spare bedroom.
The baby’s mother entered the room and was shocked to discover her maid breastfeeding the baby.
She then quizzed her and was told that the little boy was being problematic. The mother reported the matter to the police, leading to Chiota’s arrest.
