Baby-dumper convicted, escape jail sentence by paying K50,000 fine
The Nkhotakota woman who was recently reported in the media to have dumped a new-born baby in a pit latrine was on Thursday convicted and sentenced to a fine of MK50,000 or an 18-month jail term in default.
The woman, Naomi Kazukuku, 30, secretly gave birth to a baby girl on September 4, 2015 which she dumped in a pit latrine.
Neighbours heard the baby crying and alerted the police who rescued and took the baby to Liwaladzi Health Centre for medical examination where both the mother and the baby were found in good health.
The mother was charged with concealing birth, an offence contrary to Section 232 of the Penal Code.
According to Nkhunga Police Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Austin Kaunda, Kazukuku was staying with her parents at Liwaladzi Secondary School after divorcing with her first husband and she became pregnant.
He said the woman admitted to have concealed her pregnancy and upon giving birth on September 4, she thought of dumping the baby considering that she already had three children whom she was struggling to look after.
Passing the sentence, Nkhunga First Grade Magistrate Kingsley Buleya said the offence attracts a two-year jail term but the court minimized the sentence considering some factors.
“The court considered that the woman was first offender and that she voluntarily admitted the charge,” explained Kaunda. “The court also considered her mitigation facts that she suffers from asthma and that she had three other children to take care of apart from the rescued new-born who also needed her care.”
The convict paid the fine and walked to freedom with the new-born baby, according to Kaunda.
Kazukuku hails from Longwe Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kanyenda in Nkhotakota district.
Asiyeni azihula mwamuna sayenda ndi mimba koma akapezeka kuti wataya mwana, amangidwe basi.
The sperm donor needs to take responsibility. Where is he?
Zoona mwana kuti abadwe ndi bambo ndi mai, koma azibambo mukathira zanuzo stress basi yatha mwaiwala kuti ndi mbeu imene mumaika mwa mai. Chonde kumene muli a zibambo muzilangizana.
Chigololo chimakhala ndi zosatila zake ndithu.
Others are looking for children because they cant have their own due to some medical complications or they are just barren. Others are too fertile that they are having many children who they cant take care of, others, being pregnant is fun and can throw away the babies at will. THIS WORLD IS CRAZY. Mwina Boma lifewetseko lamulo lokhudza za adoption kuti opanda anawa azikatengako mosavuta.
Bvuto ndi chilengedwe. If anything, akanangisiiratu kuchita chigololo. Koma zingatheke?
I cannot figure this out. Some women are dumping babies and some are stealing them. Maybe we can work out a system where unwanted babies are give to those who want them.
This woman has just been pushed into deeper trouble by taking away another MK50,000.00 from her.
This woman has three more children she did not dump. It is all about the worry of how she would manage to take care of all of them. A fellow man did this and ran away and we punish the woman… too bad!!! The court could have instead given her the MK50,000.00 to help in taking care of the baby.
Take pity on this woman as much the baby. The human mind is complex. Situations differ widely. Yes, what she done is terrible. But what prompted her to do that? She has three kids whom she did not dump. Perhaps she needs psychological treatment, which is not easy to comeby in Malawi. Let’s not jdge too harshly.
I agree both with the concerns about mental health problems in this mother and the suggestion of adoption for the infant. However, Malawians in general are very conflicted about both domestic (Malawian to Malawian family) and international (Malawian child going to international family) adoptions, and the legal way forward for this process is obscure. Social welfare is overwhelmed and gives different information on adoption based on which districts and social workers are used. This is a prescription for child trafficking and abuse, whereas there are many thousands of infants in need of care and good homes. Way forward please, Ministry… Read more »
PLEASE AFTER FOUR WEEKS CONTACT ME FOR ANOTHER BABY AS YOU SEEM TO BE TOLELANT WITH ZAPACHIRE