Nurses quizzed in baby theft case

Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
Police have questioned several nurses at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on allegations of stealing a newborn baby in the maternity ward after informing its mother that her baby had died.

A 26-year-old Mabvuku woman, Susan Gava, recently gave birth to a baby girl at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Ward and was later informed that her baby had developed some complications and died.

Gava and her husband Mr Shame Mutshipisi were later shown a body of a dead baby, but they were not convinced.

The couple is demanding a DNA test.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the incident, saying Gava and all the nursing staff who were on duty when the incident occurred were summoned to Harare Central Police Station and interviewed and statements were recorded.

On June 21 at around 1am, Gava who was nine months pregnant, was transferred from Mabvuku Clinic to Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Ward after complications.

The following day at around 8:17am, Gava gave birth to a baby girl who was taken by nurses a few minutes later.

It is alleged that the nurses later informed Gava that her baby had developed some complications.

“The nursing staff later brought a dead baby’s body to Susan Gava who was, however, not convinced that the dead baby was the one she had given birth to. Susan Gava and her husband then agreed that a DNA test should be undertaken in order to prove that she was the mother of the dead baby,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

A report was made to the police and on July 19, a written request was made to the Director Forensic Laboratory at Wilkins Hospital for the tests to be conducted.

The Herald understands that on July 20, a letter of acknowledgement was received from the head of the Forensic Unit, Dr Roslyn Thelingwani.

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