The Nkhotakota woman who was recently reported in the media to have dumped a new-born baby in a pit latrine was on Thursday convicted and fined MK50,000 or in default serve an 18-month jail term.

The woman, Naomi Kazukuku, 30, secretly gave birth to a baby girl on September 4, 2015 which she dumped in a pit latrine.

Neighbours heard the baby crying and alerted the police who rescued and took the baby to Liwaladzi Health Centre for medical examination where both the mother and the baby were found in good health.

The mother was charged with concealing birth, an offence contrary to Section 232 of the Penal Code.

According to Nkhunga Police Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Austin Kaunda, Kazukuku was staying with her parents at Liwaladzi Secondary School after divorcing with her first husband and she became pregnant.

He said the woman admitted to have concealed her pregnancy and upon giving birth on September 4, she thought of dumping the baby considering that she already had three children whom she was struggling to look after.

Passing the sentence, Nkhunga First Grade Magistrate Kingsley Buleya said the offence attracts a two-year jail term but the court minimized the sentence considering some factors.

“The court considered that the woman was first offender and that she voluntarily admitted the charge,” explained Kaunda. “The court also considered her mitigation facts that she suffers from asthma and that she had three other children to take care of apart from the rescued new-born who also needed her care.”

The convict paid the fine and walked to freedom with the new-born baby, according to Kaunda.

Kazukuku hails from Longwe Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kanyenda in Nkhotakota district. mana