Woman Arrested Over Alleged Concealment of Birth and Abandonment of Newborn in Mangochi
Published on July 28, 2026 at 11:42 AM by Edgar Naitha
Monkey Bay Police in Mangochi District have arrested a 20-year-old woman, Halima Makwinja, on suspicion of concealing the birth of her child and abandoning the newborn in a bush at Mputa Village.
According to police, Makwinja got married in 2020 before her husband travelled to South Africa in 2025 in search of employment.
Police allege that during her husband’s absence, she entered into a relationship with another man and became pregnant.
On July 26, 2026, she allegedly gave birth in secret. Police say that after the delivery, she left her house without informing anyone and abandoned the newborn in a nearby bush.
Monkey Bay Police spokesperson Kondwani James said the incident came to light after community members became suspicious, despite the woman having shown no obvious signs of pregnancy.
“Upon receiving the report, we arrested the woman on July 27, 2026, on suspicion of concealing a birth. She later led officers to the bush where she had allegedly abandoned the infant. The baby was found dead, with parts of the body having been consumed by wild animals,” James said.
Makwinja, who hails from Mputa Village under Traditional Authority Nankumba in Mangochi District, is expected to appear in court to answer the charge.
