A traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho Nthambeleni Ranenyeni of Ha Nesengani Tshifhefhe in Vuwani, has sent a stern warning to women about the killing of innocent babies. Ranenyeni’s warning comes amidst the gruesome discovery of a half-eaten body of a newborn baby, that was found at a home in the village.

The gruesome find that traumatized and shocked the community took place on Monday.

A dog, the three-year-old Bebeza, left her five puppies by themselves at home and ventured into nearby bushes in search of food for her and her puppies. She found the body of a newborn baby in a dry donga, not far from the village. She feasted on the baby and took the leftovers for her puppies back home.

Dog owner Sophie Munyai said she was busy sweeping when Bebeza came home. “At first, the boys thought it was a rat, but a closer look and confirmation by elders revealed that it was not a rat but half the body of a newborn baby,” she said.

She rushed to the local traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho Nthambeleni Ranenyeni. The police were also summoned to the scene and a search was conducted. She said blood was found and some remains of the body were found at the scene. “I have never seen anything like this in my whole life. I was shocked to the bone,” she said.

A staunch Christian, the 48-year-old Munyai said she did not even think of a curse, but simply of a dog taking what it regarded as food home and nothing more.

Uhone Nemudzivhadi, a community leader, said the community was shocked. He urged the community to expose whoever could have done the ghastly deed. “This is a sad day indeed for this community and we just hope that, with your assistance, the perpetrator will be behind bars soon,” he said.

The local traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho Nthambeleni Ranenyeni, said it was the first incident of its kind. He warned all residents to be vigilant and to help the police find the perpetrator.

“This is cruelty at its worst. We should all be united and help the police nail this monster who killed this innocent baby. With all the resources at our disposal like legal termination of pregnancies and grants from government, who could still go out there and kill an innocent baby and throw him away? This person should be found and punished; she should face the full might of the law,” he said.

Vuwani police spokesperson WO Elijah Malatjie, who happened to be at the scene, said it was only through the cooperation of the police and the community that the perpetrator could be arrested. “The person who did this resides in your midst. Some of you know of a person who was pregnant. Expose such people, so that they face the full might of the law,” he said.

Malatjie confirmed that a case of concealment of birth had been opened and that a post mortem would be conducted on the body to determine the real cause of death. “We urge all out there who might have information about the incident to come out with information that could help us solve this case. We believe the perpetrator is known or someone has seen strange movements there. Please help us nail this person,” he urged.