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Fungai Jachi Court Correspondent
A 26-YEAR-OLD Harare woman who attempted to kill her baby and dumped it in a cemetery, has been ordered to perform 315 hours of community service.

Mercy Madziwa of Waterfalls was sentenced to 13 months in jail by Mbare magistrate Ms Gladys Moyo, but three months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

The remaining 10 months were suspended on condition she performs community service at Manonga Secondary School.

Madziwa used her T-shirt to suffocate the baby.

She then wrapped the baby in a plastic bag and dumped him in a cemetery at St John’s.

Madziwa told the court she got scared after giving birth and decided to dump the baby.

“I was not ready for another responsibility since I already have three children sired by different men.

“This child was going to be another burden for me,” she said.

In passing sentence, Ms Moyo considered that Madziwa was a first offender.

“You exposed a newly-born baby to danger. If you do not want unwanted pregnancies you must learn to use contraceptives,” she said.

Madziwa was charged with exposing an infant as defined in Section 108 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.

Circumstances are that on January 8 Madziwa, who was alone, gave birth.

She tied the baby’s neck with her T-shirt. Madziwa then dumped the baby in a cemetery.

The baby was rescued by a passerby who heard him cry.

He took the baby to the police.

The baby was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital were he is receiving medical attention.

Investigations by the police nailed Madziwa who confessed to dumping the baby.