Malawi mum dumps new born baby in Lilongwe: On the run
A newly born baby was found dumped in a pit latrine in Lilongwe’s Area 49 Dubai location on Wednesday.
The morning of 5th December a child heard the baby crying and alerted an old woman of the house.
Residents and passersby wept as they found a newborn baby dumped.
“Neighbours, community police and the block leader rescued the baby and took it to Area 18 Health Centre. Unfortunately the baby was pronounced dead on arrival and returned for burial at the block’s graveyard,” said a witness, Mrs. William.
The people described the baby as beautiful, raining curses on the mother or whoever perpetrated the evil act.
Meanwhile a round was made checking on all pregnant women in the area to catch the culprit to no avail. Residents believe it is a prostitute who dumped the baby.
Dubai and most parts of Area 49 is a haven for prostitutes.
The incident takes place barely two days after speaker of the National Assembly Henry Chimunthu-Banda expressed optimism safe abortions would soon be legalised, tempering the Church and prolife proponents.
Abortion is outlawed except in cases where pregnancy threatens the life of the mother. Section 149 of Malawi’s penal code condemns any person who administers an abortion to 14 years imprisonment, while Section 156 states that any woman who solicits an abortion is liable to 7 years in prison.
Despite this, abortions still occur, usually performed by untrained personnel.
