In a shocking instance of illegal adoption, a 16-year-old mother conspired with her own mother to sell her newborn baby for just $180, revealing the dark realities of human tr@fficking.
The identity of the mother has been concealed, although she adopted the name Nobuhle Sibanda during the transaction. Her mother, Evelyn Zisengwe, was also involved in the scheme.
H Metro has it that the two women made arrangements to sell the nine-month-old baby to Dion Tore, a known figure in the underworld whom they had encountered in a WhatsApp group.
All three individuals have since been apprehended and made their first appearance in court to face charges of human trafficking. They have been remanded in custody until Thursday, when bail will be considered.
The events unfolded in January when the trio plotted to engage in the unlawful adoption of Sibanda’s unborn child. It was reported that Zisengwe approached Tore via a WhatsApp group named “Sora ne Miti,” claiming that her daughter was pregnant and intended to terminate the pregnancy.
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Tore, who had previously experienced multiple miscarriages, expressed a desire to adopt the child. Following this meeting, a plan was set in motion, and the three agreed to meet on February 22.
Tore allegedly arranged for a medical scan, confirming that the pregnancy was nearing full term with a baby girl expected. They then proceeded to Sally Mugabe Hospital, where they colluded with an unidentified nurse to facilitate a premature delivery.
Tore provided false personal details to hospital officials, pretending to be the expectant mother. Sibanda gave birth prematurely on February 25 and subsequently handed her baby over to Tore on March 5 at Harare Hospital.
In a chilling twist, Tore created a fake death certificate claiming that the baby had died shortly after birth. Over the course of the following months, Zisengwe received a total of $180 from Tore via mobile payment platform Ecocash.
The plot unraveled when authorities received a tip-off in Murehwa, leading to the arrest of the three individuals involved.
In a related case, a woman named Pauline Maganga was sentenced to ten years in prison earlier this year for selling her child in a similar human trafficking incident.
