CHITUNGWIZA – A 14-year-old girl from Chitungwiza attempted to take her own life after being arrested on allegations of abortion, a charge stemming from a misdiagnosis of her medical condition by Citimed Chitungwiza Hospital.
Adding to the family’s woes, her father, Mavuto Chiocha (42), was convicted by the Chitungwiza magistrate courts for allegedly assaulting Thomas Goche, the chief executive officer of the same hospital.
According to court documents, the ordeal began on January 14 when Chiocha’s daughter was initially diagnosed with a heart problem at Citimed Chitungwiza Hospital. Three days later, on January 17, Chiocha took her back to the hospital for a medical examination after she complained of chest pains.
A full blood count was ordered, confirming that she had anaemia. However, an abdominal scan shockingly revealed that the girl was nine months pregnant.
The parents expressed their disbelief, noting that their daughter’s stomach was not bulging. The hospital insisted that a lack of fluids in her stomach was limiting the foetus’s movements.
Concerned that his daughter might be a victim of abuse, Chiocha then took her to the Family Support Clinic, which recommended another scan, casting doubt on Citimed’s initial diagnosis.
Adding to the confusion, four days later, on January 21, the girl began menstruating.
The situation escalated when Chiocha returned to Citimed to challenge the scan results and demand answers as to how a supposedly nine-month pregnant girl could still menstruate.
According to Chiocha, he met with Goche’s assistant, Mrs. Guramatunhu, who informed him that she would need to consult with the board of directors on the matter.
“I was phoned to meet and I was at work, but said I will be available around 5pm. At 5:15pm of the same day my daughter got arrested on the charge of abortion,” Chiocha stated in his defence outline.
Chiocha further alleged that Superintendent Gutu insisted that his daughter should only be treated by Citimed and no other hospital. He claimed he was intimidated throughout the night until his daughter was released at around 7pm.
“On 27 January 2025, I went to the hospital and my daughter was attended by Dr Chikadaya and the other three doctors, who indicated that the child had oval organs problems,” Chiocha explained.
His daughter was then referred to the chief gynaecologist, who concluded that she had adenomyosis, a rare medical condition affecting women, and confirmed that the January 17 scan was incorrect.
Despite this new diagnosis, the girl was arrested again on the same day by Chief Superintendent Muguti, Dispol Chitungwiza, who stated that Citimed had reported an abortion. Chiocha claims that there was no explanation provided regarding the alleged perpetrator.
Chiocha himself was later arrested following a confrontation at the hospital.
While Chiocha was at Harare Remand Prison, Inspector Mutumbu arrested the girl yet again, this time on charges of threatening to kill a police officer.
She was taken to Chitungwiza Hospital for a medical examination, where Dr. T Rukuni ruled out any signs of abortion.
The girl was arrested while at school, Nyamuzuwe High School, and her father remained in remand for over a month before being released by the High Court for trial.
Chiocha claims he lodged a complaint with the Chief Superintendent, who stated he was not privy to the case but had heard snippets of it from Inspector Mutumbi. He then approached Mutumbi, who asserted that it was his constitutional duty to investigate crimes.
Chiocha recounted returning to Citimed and overhearing Goche speaking with Inspector Mutumbu. Shortly after, Mutumbu appeared armed with an AK47, accusing Chiocha of assaulting the Citimed boss.
Chiocha vehemently denies ever assaulting Goche, dismissing the allegations as a cover-up. “I never assaulted him. I would not stoop so low as a professional. This is just a cover up. This matter is being investigated by the Health Services Board,” Chiocha asserted.
Goche claimed that Chiocha pinned him down and assaulted him, but Chiocha maintains that there was only a verbal altercation.
Despite Chiocha’s denials, the magistrate sided with Goche, citing corroborating witness accounts from four of Goche’s subordinates, a doctor from Chitungwiza Hospital who used to work at Citimed, and Inspector Mutumbu. Chiocha was sentenced to 420 hours of community service.
Chiocha has since appealed against both the conviction and the sentence, facing yet another challenge in this ongoing saga.
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