Story by Fungai Jachi, Courts Reporter
Of all the crimes humans perpetrate against one another, there is perhaps none more unimaginable than a parent killing their own child.
This follows a case of a Hatcliffe couple that was arrested for the murder of their one-month-old baby.
Thirty-five-year-old Fortunate Muchenje and her husband Joseph Bondoro, 29, are facing charges of murder after they allegedly killed their one-month-old baby under unclear circumstances.
It is alleged that the couple spent the afternoon drinking beer at a local bar and the two had their baby with them.
In the evening, it is alleged that Muchenje went to her mother-in-law’s house crying that she was not aware of what happened to the baby.
The state alleges that the mother-in-law suspected that the child could be dead and reported the matter to the police.
The baby who was declared dead when she was taken to the hospital was found with a laceration on her head and bruises all over her body.
The couple was remanded in custody until next month and was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
In December last year, there was another couple from Mabvuku that was also remanded in custody for allegedly conniving to kill their newborn before stashing the body in a bucket and disposing of it in a trench.
Samson Jackson (46) and his wife, Martha Gomo (32) are reported to have found the burden of taking care of their child overwhelming and decided to kill the child.
Jackson surrendered himself to the police and confessed what they had done.
