A 19-year-old woman from Zvishavane was sentenced to seven years in prison after her seven-month-old baby tragically passed away under disturbing circumstances.
According to court records, the incident occurred on 2 March 2023 in Mandava, Zvishavane.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA) stated that Felistas Mpofu had recently left her rural home in Mberengwa before the incident.
Reports indicate that she gave her infant daughter milk that had been tampered with. She later sought overnight accommodation from a Good Samaritan in the area.
The NPA said the child cried throughout the night, prompting the host to suggest a hospital visit the next morning. The baby was rushed to Zvishavane General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Initially, the case was recorded as a sudden death pending investigation.
However, suspicions were raised after the Good Samaritan noticed a strong odor from Mpofu’s belongings and discovered a baby bottle with suspicious contents. She immediately alerted authorities.
A post-mortem conducted at United Bulawayo Hospitals confirmed that the baby’s death resulted from exposure to a harmful substance.
In court, Mpofu pleaded for leniency, citing her young age and lack of support. The High Court in Gweru considered her circumstances and sentenced her to seven years in prison.
