By Thelma Wandayi
Theresa Augusto, a young woman suspected to be a commercial sex worker, is currently on the run after she allegedly threw a foetus from a window at Midlands Hotel.
The incident took place on November 16, 2023, at around 12:00 hours, sending shockwaves through the Gweru community.
The grim discovery was made by a security guard conducting routine perimeter checks at the hotel, who stumbled upon a freshly discarded foetus that appeared to have been carelessly thrown out of a window from one of the hotel rooms.
Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, confirmed the distressing discovery, “A man, performing his guard duties, was conducting routine perimeter checks at the Midlands Hotel when he stumbled upon a freshly dumped foetus,” Inspector Mahoko recounted. “It appeared to have been thrown down through the window from one of the Midlands hotel rooms.”
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) swiftly responded to the incident, with officers from the Gweru Central division rushing to the scene.
Preliminary investigations led them to focus on Theresa Augusto, believed to work as a sex worker.
Augusto, who is now the primary suspect in the case, was reportedly suffering from abdominal pains prior to the incident and a pair of blood-stained sandals where discovered in the room where Augusto had been staying connecting her to the heinous crime.
Efforts to locate and apprehend Augusto are currently underway.
In the meantime, the foetus has been transferred to the Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a thorough post-mortem examination to shed light surrounding its untimely demise.
Inspector Mahoko , issued a poignant appeal, urging the public to come forward with any information that could aid in the swift apprehension of the suspect, Theresa Augusto.
Furthermore, he issued a stern warning to potential offenders, emphasizing the gravity of concealment of birth, a crime that carries severe legal consequences and a custodial sentence.
“We appeal for any information that may assist in the arrest of the suspect Theresa Augusto. We also warn would be offenders that concealment of birth of a child is a serious crime which carries a custodial sentence,” said Inspector Mahoko.