Newborn Baby Dies After Mother Uses Mutoriro While Breastfeeding

A shocking tragedy has hit Mabutweni suburb in Bulawayo after a two-month-old baby boy died when his mother allegedly breastfed him while under the influence of crystal methamphetamine, popularly known as mutoriro. The heartbreaking incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, 3 November 2025.

A Night Of Drug Use Turns Tragic

According to a police report cited by the Sunday News on 5 November 2025, the 22-year-old mother reportedly took crystal meth with a friend at around 9 PM before breastfeeding her baby. Both women allegedly fell into a deep sleep soon after taking the drug.

When the mother woke up the next morning around 9 AM, she made a horrifying discovery — her baby was unresponsive.

Bulawayo Deputy Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu, confirmed that police are investigating a case of sudden death.

“When the mother woke up around 9 AM the following morning, she discovered that the child had no signs of life. A police report was then made,” said Assistant Inspector Ndlovu.

The infant’s body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary, where a post-mortem examination will determine the exact cause of death.

Police Sound Alarm Over Drug Abuse

Assistant Inspector Ndlovu warned the public against the dangers of substance abuse, saying the use of hard drugs such as mutoriro often leads to tragic consequences and impaired judgement.

“We warn drug abusers that drug use impairs coordination and judgement, leading to risky behaviours, negligence, accidents or crime. We also strongly warn those using and dealing in drugs that the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” she said.

The police urged members of the community to report anyone suspected of dealing in illicit substances to authorities, stressing that drug abuse has destroyed many young lives in Bulawayo and across the country.

Zimbabwe continues to grapple with a surge in drug and substance abuse cases, particularly in urban areas such as Harare and Bulawayo. The government has classified drug abuse as a national crisis, prompting awareness campaigns and arrests of suspected drug dealers.