Masvingo baby killer claims she was bewitched

Zim Now Writer

A mentally-challenged Masvingo woman, who made headlines last week when she allegedly cut a newly-born baby into pieces, was remanded in custody to May 23.

Ngonidazashe Mukanhairi, 34, appeared in court for initial remand and hurled insults, demanding a chance to explain what had really transpired to the court.

Magistrate Rethakgetsi Silaigwana had to call prison officers to take her out of the court.

She refused ever killing the baby and argued that she had never slept with a man and she doesn’t know who planted the baby body parts in the room she was staying in.

She claimed that she was the victim of witchcraft.

“I was bewitched that is why I had a swollen tummy. I am a morally upright girl, you can ask Mupfinho, who was taking care of me, and she will testify that she has never seen me with a man”, she said.

The court heard that on April 28, 2023, Mukanhairi was pregnant and visited her relative Rosewitta Mukanhairi at house number 1009 Rungano Street in Masvingo, looking for accommodation. She was given room to stay for one week.

She later gave birth and killed the infant by cutting the whole body into pieces, hiding the remains in a plastic bag and placing them in her room.

The matter was discovered by Rosewitta, who reported it to the police, leading to Mukanhairi’s arrest.