Harare Family Demands DNA Test After Rejecting Child’s Body at Parirenyatwa Hospital

HARARE — A Harare family is demanding DNA testing and answers from Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals after rejecting the body of a child they were allegedly asked to collect weeks after the death of a woman during childbirth complications. The dispute has sparked a police investigation and raised concerns over communication procedures and the handling of human remains at Zimbabwe's largest referral hospital.

The matter centres on the death of Lizzy Katsiga, who was admitted to Parirenyatwa Hospital after developing complications during labour. According to her husband, Tawanda Sengu, 34, of Eastview, Katsiga was initially treated at a clinic in Mabvuku before being referred to the maternity unit at Parirenyatwa on May 5. Sengu said doctors later informed the family that complications during surgery resulted in severe blood loss and that his wife had died. He further claimed that medical staff advised the family that the unborn child had also died before the operation.

According to Sengu, the family was left shocked after receiving a telephone call from hospital staff following Katsiga's burial. He alleges that hospital officials informed them that the baby's remains had been found, a development he says contradicted earlier explanations regarding the child's death. The family subsequently returned to the hospital, where they were reportedly presented with the body of a toddler and asked to collect it.

However, Sengu said the family refused to accept the remains because they had not been given a satisfactory explanation regarding the identity of the child.

“We were told different things at different times, and now they want us to just accept a body without explanation,” Sengu said. “We need DNA testing to confirm if this is really our child.”

The family has called for independent DNA testing to establish whether the remains belong to Katsiga's child. Sengu said the uncertainty surrounding the matter has deepened the family's grief and left them searching for answers. The family argues that scientific verification is necessary before any burial arrangements can be considered.

Zimbabwe Republic Police have confirmed that investigations are underway following a report made by the family. Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza said authorities are treating the matter as a missing foetus case linked to a local hospital.

“Police are investigating a missing foetus case at a local hospital,” Chakanza said.

He did not provide further details, citing ongoing investigations.

The unresolved dispute has left the family struggling to come to terms with the loss of Katsiga, who is survived by her husband and three children. They say the lack of clarity surrounding the fate of the child has compounded their suffering at a time when they are already mourning the loss of a wife and mother. At the time of publication, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals had not publicly commented on the allegations. Authorities say investigations are continuing and that further details will be released once inquiries have been completed.

Parirenyatwa Hospital missing foetus case