Woman to Appear Before Court for Concealing Birth of Her Child in Thyolo
Published on January 19, 2026 at 12:30 PM by Edgar Naitha
Police in Thyolo District are keeping in custody a 20-year-old woman, Annie Bernard, of Chikatuwa Village in Traditional Authority Khwethemule, for allegedly concealing the birth of her child.
Thyolo Police Public Relations Officer Rebecca Kashoti said the incident occurred on Saturday in the early hours of the morning, when the suspect went to a pit latrine while in labour. Family members reportedly believed she was answering a call of nature, unaware that she was pregnant.
Kashoti explained that the Village Development Committee chairperson later heard a baby crying from the pit latrine and rushed to the scene, where he noticed blood stains around the toilet. He then mobilised villagers who demolished the pit latrine and found a newborn baby inside.
“Upon questioning, the suspect admitted that she had just given birth and deliberately threw the baby into the pit latrine for her own reasons,” Kashoti said.
The suspect and the baby were taken to Malamulo Adventist Hospital, where the infant was pronounced dead upon arrival. Medical examinations revealed that the baby died due to hypoxia.
The suspect is expected to appear before court soon to answer the charge.
