ZIMSPHERE
HARARE – In a case heard at the Harare Magistrates' Court, Janet Maromo was sentenced to five years in prison for violating the Trafficking in Persons Act after trafficking a two-day-old infant, transported from South Africa to Zimbabwe under unlawful circumstances.
The court heard that the infant's biological mother had sold the newborn to Maromo, who subsequently facilitated the cross-border transportation. The State detailed how the transaction and movement of the child contravened international and domestic laws designed to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
In hearing the case, the court acknowledged several mitigating factors. It was established that Maromo acted under a bona fide misunderstanding of adoption laws in both South Africa and Zimbabwe. Furthermore, her lack of legal knowledge and sophistication, along with the active role played by the biological mother in initiating the arrangement, were highlighted as special circumstances in the case.
Despite these considerations, the court emphasized the gravity of the offence, ultimately handing down a five-year custodial sentence to serve as both punishment and a deterrent.
This case shows that there is a critical need for greater awareness of legal adoption processes, as well as highlighting the severe consequences of human trafficking, even when intentions may be misunderstood.
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