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Tafadzwa Chibukwa, Online Reporter

AN 18-YEAR-OLD woman has been arrested for infanticide.

Gugulethu Khumalo from Lupane’s Tshongogwana Village was arrested last Tuesday after her baby was found dead in a bedroom hut.

Infanticide is the crime of a mother killing her child within a year of birth, cases of infanticide often involve extreme emotional disturbance.

National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest.

He said the baby was seven weeks old.

“Police in Lupane have arrested Gugulethu Khumalo (18) in connection with a case of infanticide in which the suspect’s baby girl (7 weeks) was found dead with froth coming through the nose, in a bedroom hut last Tuesday at Tshongogwana Village. Police found two hammers on top of blankets next to the baby’s body,” said Ass Insp Nyathi.

Police have said there is a disturbing spike in cases of women killing their own children.

Investigations have shown that many are getting more daring as the country grapples with the problem of infanticide, baby dumping, and abortions.

Last year there were many cases of baby dumping recorded, with many babies being found at rubbish dumps or in pit toilets.

@Sagepapie14