Bulawayo residents were left in shock on 5 January 2025, after a newborn baby was discovered alive in a bushy area along Khami Road, opposite a local brewery.
The infant, wrapped in a blue denim trouser, was found by a 40-year-old man who was searching for firewood in a pit used as a dumping site for wood shavings.
The man, upon hearing the faint cries of a baby at around 2 p.m., followed the sound and made the heart-wrenching discovery. He immediately reported the matter to the police, and the baby was rushed to Mpilo Hospital for a medical examination.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incident and urged parents to provide emotional and material support to their children to prevent such tragedies.
“We urge young people to seek counseling from elders and church leaders before making hasty decisions,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele. “We also implore parents to support their children to avoid such incidents.”
The baby is currently under medical care, and the authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the abandonment.
This incident has sparked conversations about the challenges young mothers face and the importance of community support systems to help prevent similar occurrences. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
As the baby recovers at Mpilo Hospital, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the need for awareness, compassion, and support for vulnerable individuals in society.
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