A 39-year-old woman, Anita Khumalo, from Pumula South suburb in Bulawayo, stood visibly burdened by regret as she shared her story of desperation and crime during a recent interview. Dressed in her prison uniform, her expression was one of solemn remorse, her lips slightly parted as if mid-confession, with her eyes reflecting the weight of her actions. Her body posture, slightly leaned forward, communicated both vulnerability and a longing to explain the pain that led her down a dark path.

Khumalo is currently serving a four-year sentence at Mlondolozi Female Prison, part of Khami Maximum Prison, after being convicted of kidnapping a two-day-old baby from Mpilo Central Hospital in September last year. Her actions, which shocked the Bulawayo community, stemmed from personal tragedy, marital pressure, and familial expectations, according to her account.

In an interview during the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Family Week, Khumalo recounted how the loss of her pregnancy in June 2023 and the fear of losing her marriage pushed her to commit the crime.

“I think most people read my story on social media. I am the one who kidnapped a two-day-old baby at Mpilo Hospital. Due to the pressure of keeping my marriage as well as that of my in-laws, I ended up taking the illegal route,” she admitted.

A Well-Calculated Plan

Khumalo explained how she faked her pregnancy for months after her miscarriage to placate her husband and in-laws. As the due date approached, desperation took over. On September 10, 2023, she visited Mpilo Hospital, where she befriended an 18-year-old new mother. She offered her help but later abandoned the mother in Bulawayo’s Central Business District and took the newborn to Ntabazinduna.

Her in-laws quickly grew suspicious, leading to her arrest.

Reflection and Regret

Behind bars, Khumalo reflected on the consequences of her actions, cautioning others to pursue legal adoption instead of resorting to crime. “To anyone who needs a baby, please do things the right way. There are legal ways of adopting a baby. I lost my job, my family, and my life as I knew it. I have not seen my three children from my previous marriage, and I do not even know the state of my house,” she said.

Family Support

Despite the ordeal, Khumalo expressed gratitude for her family’s support. She has served one year and three months of her reduced sentence of two years and eight months.

Her story stands as a cautionary tale about the pressures of societal expectations and the devastating consequences of desperate decisions.– SundayMail