By Mirirai Nsingo
HARARE – A Kuwadzana 4 mistress last Wednesday allegedly dumped her eight month old baby boy at her lover’s workplace amid allegations that the latter was not maintaining the child.
Liona Munhamo left the child at Owen Mazulu’s work place at Snake Park where he works as a truck driver ferrying river sand, a scene which attracted passersby as the baby was crying.
The abandoned child was later picked by one Councillor Gomo of Zvimbo who took him to Snake Park police base after both his parents had disappeared from the scene.
“I heard the child crying by the road-side and I noticed that it was baby dumping so I reported the matter to the police. What type of a mother dumps her child?
“I’m disappointed that after the two failed to settle their dispute, they decided to torment such an innocent soul who has spent the whole day without feeding, violating his rights,” he said.
After noticing that the child had been dumped, Owen is said to have sent his younger brother, Stanley to monitor the child from a distance as they thought the mother would come back for the child.
His brother was almost assaulted by the mob after he had been mistaken for the baby’s father.
“I was at my brother’s workplace when all that happened so when I tried to take the baby people almost attacked me as they accused me of neglecting the child,” he said.
Liona, who later realised that what she had done was criminal, allegedly went to make a report at Kuwadzana 4 police station that Owen had taken the baby from her by force.
“She came and left the baby at my workplace, in the open before she went to report that I forcibly taken the child from her. That is not true; she is bitter that I decided to end the relationship but it’s not true that I’m not supporting the child.
“I love my child as he is my only boy but I can’t stay with Liona. I have two daughters with my wife but I have lost all respect for her after she dumped the baby,” he said.
Liona’s sister, who accompanied her when she went to dump the innocent child, accused Owen of neglecting the baby: “He is not taking care of the child and she has been struggling to take care of the child by herself.
“He needs to be responsible and take care of his child.” H Metro
