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By Priscilla Mafa
A 19-year-old woman has been sentenced to six months in prison by the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court after she was convicted of abandoning her one-month-old baby along a street in Kwekwe earlier this year.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the offence occurred on 25 March 2026 at around 5:00 am, when the teenager allegedly left her one-month-old daughter along Bahunia Street in Masasa, Kwekwe before fleeing the scene.
A passerby discovered the infant and promptly alerted the police. The baby was rescued and taken to Kwekwe General Hospital for medical examination before being placed under the care of the Department of Social Welfare.
Investigations established the identity of the child and led authorities to the mother, who had reportedly fled her family home after allegedly stealing money from her sister.
Police, with assistance from the accused’s sister, arrested the woman on 12 July 2026 at Manyanganya Village under Chief Chireya in Gokwe.
The court convicted the teenager and imposed a six-month custodial sentence for abandoning her infant.
The National Prosecuting Authority condemned child abandonment and urged communities to remain vigilant in protecting children.
“No child should ever face abandonment. Communities are urged to act swiftly to report any cases of neglect and ensure infants are placed in safe environments,” the NPAZ said.
The authority encouraged members of the public to immediately report suspected cases of child neglect or abuse to law enforcement agencies to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable children.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the offence occurred on 25 March 2026 at around 5:00 am, when the teenager allegedly left her one-month-old daughter along Bahunia Street in Masasa, Kwekwe before fleeing the scene.
A passerby discovered the infant and promptly alerted the police. The baby was rescued and taken to Kwekwe General Hospital for medical examination before being placed under the care of the Department of Social Welfare.
Investigations established the identity of the child and led authorities to the mother, who had reportedly fled her family home after allegedly stealing money from her sister.
Police, with assistance from the accused’s sister, arrested the woman on 12 July 2026 at Manyanganya Village under Chief Chireya in Gokwe.
The court convicted the teenager and imposed a six-month custodial sentence for abandoning her infant.
The National Prosecuting Authority condemned child abandonment and urged communities to remain vigilant in protecting children.
“No child should ever face abandonment. Communities are urged to act swiftly to report any cases of neglect and ensure infants are placed in safe environments,” the NPAZ said.
The authority encouraged members of the public to immediately report suspected cases of child neglect or abuse to law enforcement agencies to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable children.
Published
July 24, 2026 at 12:00 PM
