Killer mom blames poverty for infanticide

A 29-YEAR-OLD Chegutu farm labourer told the court on Monday that she dumped her newly-born child in a toilet pit because she could not provide for the baby after her boyfriend had denied responsibility for the pregnancy.

Muchaneta Chadada of Coburn Estates, Chegutu, was sentenced to a wholly suspended 12-month jail term by Kadoma magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba after she pleaded guilty to infanticide.

In passing sentence, Gwazemba said Chadada deserved a lengthy custodial term because of her conduct, but had been saved by the fact that she had two other minor children to look after.

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