Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A 47-YEAR-OLD woman from Murehwa, accused of helping her 16-year-old daughter sell her new-born baby for US$180, has been denied bail.
The woman, the teenager, who is under the care of the Social Welfare Department, and Dion Tore (34), who wanted to buy the baby after allegedly suffering many miscarriages, are charged under the Trafficking in Persons Act and will return to court on Thursday for further proceedings.
Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa yesterday criticised the teenager’s mother for failing to provide a reasonable defence, stating that she should have guided her daughter more effectively.
Regarding the alleged buyer Tore, the magistrate noted: “Mere denials can’t be accepted in this court,” highlighting her lack of explanation for falsifying a hospital document.
Prosecutor Ms Mercy Masamvi outlined that the trio conspired to arrange an illegal adoption.
The mother and daughter allegedly agreed to sell the child to Tore, who had suffered multiple miscarriages.
In January, the mother connected with Tore in a WhatsApp group called “Sora neMiti” and shared details about her daughter’s pregnancy.
Tore expressed interest in adopting the baby, particularly after learning that the teenager was considering an abortion. On February 22, they met in Harare, where a scan confirmed the baby was a girl, seven months and three weeks along.
The teenager was then taken to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, where Tore allegedly worked with two nurses – Betty Patricia Sena and Jestina Mashamba – to induce premature labour.
The teenager gave birth on February 25 and handed the new-born to Tore on March 5.
To cover up the transaction, Tore reportedly created a fake death record for the baby.
The mother received US$180 from Tore via a local mobile money transfer system between May and August.
Authorities arrested the three after receiving a tip-off. One of the nurses, Mashamba, appeared in court over the weekend and was remanded in custody, with her bail ruling set for Thursday while Sena’s bail ruling is scheduled for today.
The baby, now nine-months-old, is reportedly in safe custody.
