Chipinge Woman Arrested Over Alleged Killing of Newborn Baby

A 21-year-old woman from Chipinge has been arrested in connection with the alleged killing of her newborn baby, who police say was thrown into a Blair toilet pit shortly after birth.

The woman, identified as Irine Lucia Simango of Chako Village under Chief Mutema, allegedly gave birth to a live baby boy inside a toilet at her employer’s homestead before throwing the infant into the pit. Manicaland acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident to The Masvingo Mirror. Simango is employed as a domestic worker by 66-year-old Charles Muyaza of Mudzimwa Village.

According to police, the incident occurred on 15 August 2026 at around 9pm, when Simango reportedly went to the toilet after experiencing labour pains and gave birth. She allegedly threw the newborn into the toilet pit and dropped stones onto the infant before returning to her bedroom, where she went to sleep. The following morning, at around 6am, Simango allegedly returned to the toilet to clean up. Blood-stained clothing and other blood stains reportedly remained at the scene.

Police allege that Joice Muhlanga, 57, became suspicious after seeing Simango carrying a bucket and broom. Muhlanga reportedly noticed the blood and clothing and asked Simango whether she had undergone an abortion, which she denied. Three days later, on 18 August, Muhlanga reportedly looked into the toilet pit using a torch and saw the body of a baby partially covered by stones. She alerted her brother, Muyaza, who subsequently reported the matter to the police. Simango was arrested and is expected to appear in court. The allegations have not yet been tested in court, and Simango is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Chipinge woman arrested over newborn baby’s death