Housemaid arrested for dumping her newborn baby in a septic tank

A 22-year-old housemaid in Zimbabwe,

Yotamu of Savala Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwambo, was arrested after being reported to have thrown a newly born baby she had just given birth to into the septic tank.

The police spokesperson in the district, Patricia Sipiliano, said Yotamu was arrested at Domasi College of Education campus where she was working as a housemaid to one Mrs. Mercy Maduka.

"Facts are that we had a report from who stays at Domasi College of Education, that her housemaid had concealed an eight-month pregnancy.

According to Mrs Maduka, the maid was suspected to have been pregnant for the past months and she admitted upon being asked.

On February 3, 2016, Mrs. Maduka had information that there was blood in her housemaid’s room and she rushed to see but found out that the house had already been cleaned.

At around 6:30 pm, she was also told by neighbours that there was a baby in a septic tank close to her house and she went and saw the baby in the tank.

She reported the matter to Domasi Police Station who came to rescue the baby but it died upon arrival at Domasi Rural Hospital and the remains were buried close to the health facility.

After investigations, police arrested Yotamu and she reportedly admitted to have committed the offence, saying she decided to throw the baby in the septic tank after giving birth."