A bizarre baby-swapping scandal has rocked Chipinge District Hospital, leaving residents demanding answers and sparking a police investigation. The incident involves Ms Cynthia Masocha, who gave birth to a baby boy on September 21st, only to find a baby girl in her place the following morning.
Hospital birth records confirm that Ms Masocha delivered a baby boy, assisted by Blessing Mutimbu. The baby’s sex was reportedly confirmed by Mutimbu in front of the mother, after which the baby was dressed and recorded as a male in the hospital records. Ms Masocha breastfed her son and went to sleep.
The following morning, however, Ms Masocha discovered that her baby had been replaced with a baby girl. This shocking discovery prompted her to check the hospital records, which confirmed the initial entry of a baby boy. She then contacted her husband, Mr Tavonga Masi, who visited the maternity ward but left without noticing the switch.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are underway. He detailed the events leading to the discovery of the swap:
“On September 21, at around 8pm, Ms Masocha delivered a baby boy at Chipinge District Hospital through normal birth. Immediately after delivery, Blessing Mutimbu who assisted her in giving birth lifted the newborn baby in front of the mother for confirmation of the baby’s sex as per the hospital procedure. Ms Masocha saw and acknowledged that her new1born baby was a male child, and Mutimbu then dressed up the baby, and recorded him as a boy in the hospital records before returning the baby to its mother.
“In happiness, Ms Masocha called her husband, Mr Tavonga Masi, telling him that she had safely delivered a baby boy. Ms Masocha slept on the same bed with her baby, and did not change his nappies during the night. On September 22, Mr Masi visited Ms Masocha in the maternity ward to see their new baby. He did not stay for long, and left without checking the baby’s sex. On the same day around 10am, Ms Masocha checked her baby’s nappies, and discovered that the baby was a girl.
“In a state of shock, Ms Masocha checked the hospital record book, and noted that, indeed, the baby had been recorded as a boy. She called Mr Masi to inquire about the discrepancy, but did not get any satisfactory answers, and reported the matter to the police. The scene was attended by the police,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The police are currently investigating the incident and have confirmed that DNA tests will be conducted to determine the paternity of the baby girl. No arrests have been made yet.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka added: “So far no suspect has been picked for questioning. As we speak, detectives are on the ground investigating the matter to ascertain what really transpired.”
Chipinge District Medical Officer, Dr Ozmore Matekenya, stated he was aware of the incident but could not comment further as he was attending a workshop in Mutare. He promised to provide more details upon his return.
This is not the first instance of a baby-related incident at Chipinge District Hospital. In 2018, Joyce Maputire was convicted of kidnapping a five-day-old baby boy with polydactyly (a condition resulting in extra fingers) from the hospital.
Maputire, who had pleaded guilty, was sentenced for kidnapping under Section 193(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. The hospital records reveal that three women delivered babies on the same day as Ms Masocha, but only Ms Masocha’s was recorded as a boy. The investigation continues, and the community awaits answers regarding this disturbing incident.
