HARARE – A 28-year-old woman who kidnapped a month-old tot to trick her husband who was about to divorce her for failing to conceive has been arrested.

Rumbidzai Nyamurowa, a self-proclaimed prophetess who is also known as Madzimai Getrude, was arrested at a house in Area 16, Dangamvura, in Mutare.

National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the baby boy was in good health and had been re-united with his month.

The baby was kidnapped on October 6 during a “spiritual healing session.” Following a public appeal, police acted on a tip-off leading to Nyamurowa’s arrest three days later on October 9.

Nyathi said: “Upon arrest, the suspect confessed that she kidnapped the baby to hoodwink her husband who is based in South Africa into believing that she had given birth.

“The husband was allegedly harbouring intentions of divorcing her for failing to conceive.”