SHOCK AND OUTRAGE…Grade 7 pupil dies while giving birth in Zimbabwe
THERE was shock and outrage in Zimbabwe after a Grade 7 pupil died on Tuesday while giving
birth at a shrine.
Nokutenda Hwaramba died together with her baby, at a shrine, where she was being cared
for by unidentified prophets.
She was 15.
Her parents, Bernard Hwaramba, 41, and Loice Muparadziwo were not with Nokutenda at
the shrine where they dumped her for prayers.
Nokutenda’s mother, Loice, told H-Metro that she also had a miscarriage on the day her
daughter died, while in labour.
“Nokutenda was said to have been impregnated by one Aaron from our neighbourhood.
“She got sick and would just fall as if possessed by evil spirits.
“Her father consulted prophets from his congregation and later took her to Bikita for
more prayers.
“He left Nokutenda in the hands of the intercessors and she died while giving birth at the
shrine.
“The church doctrine did not allow us to take Nokutenda to a clinic, or hospital, to give
birth or for any medical treatment.
“I failed to accompany them to Bikita because I had a miscarriage and was at Norton
General Hospital on the day Nokutenda passed away,” said Loice.
Aaron was reported to have vanished from Norton after Hwaramba learnt that he was
responsible for his daughter’s pregnancy.
Loice said the family intends to collect Nokutenda’s body from Bikita and take it to Mt
Darwin for burial.
Mourning a teenager after shocking death
Mourners are gathered at Hwaramba’s homestead in Katanga, Norton.
The tragedy has left the town of Norton in shock and anger.
In January this year, a pregnant 15-year-old Marange girl died after bleeding excessively,
under the watch of a faith healer.
Ferby Munyafi of Chiadzwa Village in Chief Marange’s area, was married to 29-year-old
Arthur Chitombo, of the same village.
Chitombo was arrested and charged with having sexual relations with a minor.
The two got married in April last year and, when the teenager got pregnant, she did not
register her pregnancy at the clinic.
On January 9, she started experiencing labour pains and was rushed to a faith healer in
Mafararikwa Village.
The police report indicated that on January 12, Ferby bled profusely as she was in labour
and died before she could give birth.
H-Metro
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