Reported By Obey Musiwa
The prime suspect in the case of a newborn baby who was found dead with burnt wounds in the Makumbi area, Joylin Chonyera, failed to provide sufficient answers when she appeared at the magistrates court last week.
The court sitting at Micro Chinamhora Enterprises building within Showground on August 20, 2024, remained puzzled with the heinous act that has shaken the entire Domboshava community to the core with the magistrate in the end remanding Chonyera in custody until her next appearance while police investigations continue.
Her live-in boyfriend Phillip Zvavashe -nailed by neighbours as being an accomplice in the unfolding tragedy – has not been indicted for trial after being released by police in the midst of questioning, a development that has riled members of the community who claim to be in the know of events.
Arraigned before the magistrate, Chonyera, whose age is still to be determined, gave unsatisfactory responses, saying that she did not ‘know anything’ concerning the allegations facing her.
The circumstances surrounding the newborn death have since emerged following extensive probing by Domboshawa Dispatch.
It emerged that Chonyera, a resident of Chonyera village in Domboshava, gave birth at Old Trafford Bar in Makumbi growth point the day before the baby’s body was discovered partially burned in a nearby rubbish pit.
Witnesses and residents of Makumbi have reported that the baby, whose gender was not disclosed, was found with burns to the left side of the body, seemingly from wood boards.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (Chinamhora) was notified of the incident by concerned citizens on August 17.
Sabhuku Alfred Makumbe, speaking in an interview, recalled the events of the fateful day.
“We discovered the baby early on Saturday morning. When police arrived at the scene they conducted their investigations and took the burnt baby to the morgue at Makumbi District Hospital,” narrated the distraught village head.
“The female suspect was taken to the hospital maternity ward for examination on the same day. She seemed in poor health condition and was barely able to walk. I was personally involved in the efforts to bring justice to the victim as quickly as possible, even using my own car to aid the process,” he said.
The nature of the crime and its impact on the community was not lost on residents of Makumbi, who struggled to comprehend how such a taboo could occur in their typically peaceful rural village.
The village chief added:
“This type of crime was unheard of in our village. We are deeply saddened by what happened to the infant and we pray for justice to be served swiftly. No child should suffer such a fate, especially not in our tight-knit community. We are still in an agricultural- based land and we need our God and ancestors to bless us with the rain.”
At Makumbi District Hospital, officials confirmed that Joylin Chonyera was brought in by ZRP officers for examination after she was suspected of giving birth, but without immediate proof of the connection to the baby found burnt in a rubbish pit at Makumbi shops.
The officials stated that half of the baby’s body, specifically the left side, was burnt and the umbilical cord was still raw.
Acting District Medical Officer in Goromonzi, Dr Mundawaro informed Domboshawa Dispatch that a post-mortem examination is still pending at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to determine the cause of death.
“DNA samples have to be collected as part of the ongoing investigation,” Dr Mundawaro advised, emphasizing the importance of thorough analysis of the baby’s body to bring justice for the child and their family.
“Joylin Chonyera was admitted to our hospital on Saturday, August 17, and was discharged the following day after the patient had stabilized.
“Medical examination confirmed that she had given birth. Our hospital has provided consistent evidence of the lady’s baby delivery and signs of recent delivery,” he stated.
The matter escalated to ZRP Marondera who confirmed the arrest of the suspected perpetrator, Chonyera, on August 19, the day after she was discharged from Makumbi District Hospital.
She was charged with child abandonment and concealment of birth, in response to the discovery of a partially burnt infant body in a rubbish pit in Makumbi.
“This timely arrest demonstrates the ZRP’s commitment to bringing justice to the victimized baby, as well as sending a clear message to the community,” said an officer who spoke to the paper.
Community members have raised suspicions about the involvement of Zvavashe, Chonyera’s boss at the Old Trafford Bar where she works.
Zvavashe, age not given, and Chonyera were allegedly co-habiting at the time the offence was committed.
According to a local resident, the pair has been living together for at least five months, although the affair is believed to have started earlier when Joylin was still employed at a different outlet at the same Makumbi growth point.
Zvavashe’s friends voiced their concerns in a focused group discussion with one Kudzaiishe Chinyana saying he suspected Phillip was complicit in the crime.
“We believe that Philip was present when the baby was delivered. The fact that they lived and worked together at the bar makes us suspect that he was involved in some way, and there is need for further investigation no matter him being a military personnel.”
However, Chonyera defended her lover in court, asserting his innocence and pleading that he had nothing to do with the delivery of the baby.
The court found insufficient evidence to charge her with child abandonment and concealment of birth, but she was taken to remand due to the severity of the charges before her.
As the investigation continues, the community remains divided on the true nature of events leading to the infant’s death.
While some believe that Zvavashe may have been involved, others have come to his defence, claiming that he has been wrongly accused due to his association with the suspect.
The truth remains elusive as the court proceedings move forward in search of justice for the victim.
Chinamhora police details initially detained Zvavashe on August 17 and returned him the following day.
On Sunday this week, he was seized by the Zimbabwe Military Police and returned again the following day.
Zvavashe is back enjoying his freedom in Makumbi village and running his bar normally.
Some locals alleged Zvavashe had threatened witnesses on the issue of his fiancee’s arrest and discussions over the newborn’s ordeal.
On Thursday the traditional leadership convened a meeting at Makumbi business centre to brainstorm with sources who attended the meeting revealing that some dub-chiefs had recommended expelling the small-scale businessman from their jurisdiction legally.
Sabhuku Collen Mavunga further spoke out about the community’s discontent:
“Whether or not he is guilty, Philip Zvavashe has become a source of unease and disruption within our community. His threats to sue those seeking justice for the infant and his confrontational demeanor have turned him into a pariah. We must restore the peace and security that Domboshava once enjoyed.”
While the wheels of justice continue to turn, traditional leaders are meeting again with Headman Gwindi in Gwindi village, Domboshava on Sunday 25 August to carry the debate forward.
