Recent data from Global DNA Zimbabwe shows that 72% of paternity tests in the country have shown that the presumed fathers are not the biological parents. This means most men are unknowingly raising children who are not their own.
In an interview with <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2025/02/26/shocking-paternity-test-statistics-reveal-most-fathers-are-raising-non-biological-children/">HealthTimes</a>, Partners Chiriseri from Global DNA Zimbabwe explained that many men who take DNA tests find out they are not the biological fathers of the children they were raising. Said Chiriseri:
<blockquote>
The current statistics for people who have undergone testing are both shocking and interesting. Most clients come for paternity tests, and currently, 72% of the results issued are negative, while only 28% are positive.
</blockquote>
Chiriseri explained that paternity tests yield only two possible outcomes: either 0% or 99.99% certainty. There are no in-between percentages, as partial probabilities are only relevant for relationship tests. He said:
<blockquote>
Most people do DNA tests to confirm the paternity of their alleged children. This usually stems from suspicions of infidelity, particularly on the part of women, leading the alleged fathers to seek confirmation. These tests provide peace of mind to those involved.
</blockquote>
Chiriseri further explained that DNA tests are not just for checking paternity, but also for other purposes like career development and migration.
He said that DNA tests are often required for immigration, especially for people applying for visas to countries like the UK and the United States. In these cases, parents may need to prove their biological relationship with their children before moving.
Chiriseri also noted that DNA profiling is becoming more popular, with people choosing to have their genetic information stored for future use. He said:
<blockquote>
DNA samples can be banked for future identification purposes, such as in cases where human remains are unrecognizable after an accident. The stored profile can then be compared to recovered DNA samples for identification.
… in rape cases, DNA testing can help identify suspects if semen or other biological evidence is collected from victims. By comparing the DNA profile of a suspect to the collected sample, authorities can confirm or rule out their involvement.
</blockquote>
Some countries, including the United States, have already implemented national DNA databases for criminals. If introduced in Zimbabwe, such a system could aid in criminal investigations, identifying suspects, and supporting law enforcement efforts.

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The news says that 72% of DNA tests in Zimbabwe show that many fathers are raising kids who are not theirs. The tests give results of either 0% or 99.99% certainty. People take the tests to confirm paternity, for immigration, and other reasons. DNA profiling is getting popular, with some storing their genetic information. Having a DNA database can help in criminal cases. The tests can also be helpful in rape cases to identify suspects. So, DNA tests can be essential for many reasons and help in different situations.

72% Of DNA Tests In Zimbabwe Reveal Fathers Are Unknowingly Raising Children Who Aren’t Their Own

The United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) has launched an investigation into a recent baby-swapping incident at its maternity ward, a senior government official has said.
A woman who had given birth to a baby boy was shocked when a nurse handed her a baby girl.
Health and Child Care Ministry permanent secretary, Aspect Maunganidze (pictured above), told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/very-unfortunate-government-speaks-on-ubh-baby-swap/">Chronicle</a> on Monday that the Government is aware of the incident and described it as “very unfortunate.” Said Maunganidze:
<blockquote>
The ministry is aware of the unfortunate incident of ‘baby swapping’ that occurred at United Bulawayo Hospitals and awaits the results of the investigation that we instructed the hospital to undertake.
While we expect the investigation to be concluded expeditiously, we acknowledge the sensitivities around the matter.
Parallel to the investigative process, we have instructed the institution to assist with counselling all affected parties (including the staff), reorient or refresh our staff on the standard operating procedures during and after delivery, and reinforce the importance of good moral and ethical practice.
</blockquote>
The mother of the boy had to resort to DNA testing at a private lab in the city centre and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) to prove that the baby girl given to her by the nurse was not hers.
The nurse on duty had told her that she had given birth to a girl and, due to her Caesarean section, she might have been under sedation.
Zephania Dlamini, head of the Applied Genetics Testing Centre at NUST, confirmed that DNA tests conducted on the parents and babies unequivocally showed that the two babies had been exchanged. Said Dlamini:
<blockquote>
Before approaching Nust, the complainant had sought testing at the Global DNA lab in the city centre, which confirmed that the baby girl was not hers.
Our results corroborated these findings. Subsequent testing on the couple claiming to be the parents of the boy yielded negative results, while the boy’s DNA matched that of the complainant, and the girl’s DNA matched that of the other woman.
</blockquote>

A hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is investigating a baby-swapping incident in the maternity ward. A mother was given the wrong baby by a nurse. The government knows about the incident and calls it unfortunate. The mother had to do DNA testing to prove the baby was not hers. The results showed that the babies were swapped. The hospital is counseling everyone involved and will review procedures to prevent this from happening again.

Government "Aware" Of Baby-Swapping Incident At United Bulawayo Hospitals

Chief Mangwende, a traditional leader, has expressed concern over the increasing number of couples seeking DNA tests and the significant toll it takes on the mental health of the children involved in these disputes.
He lamented that children often suffer emotional and physical abuse during the process. Said Chief Mangwende (via <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/dna-tests-inflicting-serious-damage-on-kids-says-chief/">H-Metro</a>):
<blockquote>
We have noted with concern some emotional and physical abuse suffered by children being taken for DNA tests.
Some children are left emotionally damaged after being taken through paternal tests. These children are affected by these disputes.
When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.
In the fight fight between the couples, the children are the ones who are most affected and we must consider their protection for a better future.
</blockquote>
Chief Mangwende explained that, traditionally, African culture had mechanisms in place to protect all children, including those born out of illicit relationships. He said:
<blockquote>
According to our tradition and culture, our elders used to safeguard the children, even those who were born out of wedlock.
Ndosaka mainzwa vakuru vedu vaiti gomba harina mwana (That’s why our elders would say that a lover has no child).
It was a way of protecting life of the children.
</blockquote>
According to Chief Mangwende, traditionally, nature had its own ways of punishing women who cheated on their husbands. He said:
<blockquote>
The woman suffered greatly during childbirth. She would experience more pain upon giving birth until she confessed to having cheated.
Vakuru vaikanda zviyo mumoto zvikaputika vaibva vaziva kuti anemumwe murume waakafambidzana naye. (Our elders would throw grain into the fire, and if it popped, they would know that someone was involved with another man’s wife).
The cheating wife would confess. Protection of children during that time was always the priority.
</blockquote>
The rising demand for DNA testing in Zimbabwe is largely due to paternity disputes. Many men seek DNA tests to establish paternity, particularly in situations where they suspect infidelity from their wives or girlfriends and consequently question the biological parentage of their children.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chief Mangwende is worried about kids getting hurt emotionally from DNA tests. Kids can be abused during the process. In the old days, African culture protected all children, even from secret relationships. The chief said nature would punish women who cheated on their husbands. Nowadays, many people in Zimbabwe want DNA tests to know if they are the real parents. This causes a lot of fighting and worry. Chief Mangwende wants to make sure children are safe and protected in these situations.

Chief Mangwende Warns Of Emotional Toll Of DNA Tests On Children

Zimbabwean authorities are conducting DNA tests on the remains of eight Anglican Diocese of Manicaland pilgrims who were burnt beyond recognition when a Pashonlink bus they were travelling on caught fire at the 26-kilometre peg along Nyabadza-Gandanza Road on Sunday, 16 June 2024.
The pilgrims were returning from their Bernard Mzeki shrine in Marondera and were travelling to their rural homes in Sherukuru in Mutasa District.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/dna-tests-for-anglican-pilgrims/">The Herald</a> on Tuesday, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the DNA results will be released in due course. He said:
<blockquote>
We are still conducting investigations and awaiting DNA tests, of which the process is now underway. We will release the results in due course.
We are also conducting comprehensive investigations and in due course, we will release the charges for the transport owner and driver.
</blockquote>
Comm Nyathi urged church leaders to ensure that they hire buses from reputable companies and to avoid travelling at night when going and coming from gatherings.
He said churches should also ensure they travel with a passenger manifesto with full particulars of members on board.
Reports indicate that the bus, which had 65 passengers on board, experienced several mechanical faults along the way, including a faulty clutch.
On approaching the 26km peg along the road, passengers noticed smoke billowing from the engine and alerted the driver, Ray Donald Mugari (40).
Mugari promptly stopped to investigate the source of the smoke and opened the engine cover inside the bus near the passengers’ door.
Subsequently, a ball of fire came out of the engine and engulfed the whole bus after the driver had opened the engine cover.
The driver and 57 passengers managed to escape from the burning bus through the door and emergency exit windows, while 8 people were trapped inside and were burnt to death.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

DNA Tests For 8 Anglican Pilgrims Burnt Beyond Recognition

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test results have ended Temba Peter Mliswa’s dispute with his ex-girlfriend Susan Vivian Mutami over the paternity of one of her sons after they proved that the former Norton MP is indeed the biological father.
Mliswa posted the results on his X page conducted by identilab which show that he is the biological father of two-year-old Tinotenda Cripper Mliswa.
The parentage testing procedure report, prepared by one Katherine Pippia reads in part:
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>I report that a parentage testing procedure being DNA typing has been carried out on the bodily samples contained in the sealed containers bearing the names of the following donors:</li>
<li>a) Temba Peter Mliswa – 01/09/1971 – Putative Father</li>
<li>b) Susan Vivian Mutami – 28/11/1988 – Mother</li>
<li>c) Tinotenda Cripper Mliswa – 20/07/2021 – Child…</li>
</ul>
I report that the results of the parentage testing procedure carried out on the bodily samples of the donors specified above show that Temba Peter Mliswa is not excluded from identification as the father of Tinotenda Cripper Mliswa.
I further report that the probability that Temba Peter Mliswa is the genetic father of Tinotenda Cripper Mliswa has been calculated as follows:
Temba Peter Mliswa is 12 billion times more likely to produce a child with the required alleles than an unrelated man drawn randomly from the African population. This equates to a Relative Chance of Paternity of &gt;99.99999999%.
</blockquote>
Mutami has previously taken to social media to lambast Mliswa for allegedly failing to support his child, while the latter had demanded proof that he was the biological father of the child.
Mliswa pledged to fulfil his obligations as the father of the child in question and thanked Mutami for taking care of his son alone. Mliswa wrote on X:
<blockquote>
I have some news for you. After the conducting of DNA tests, it has been confirmed that Tinotenda is my son.
I’m glad the matter has been brought to a decisive conclusion allowing me, as a parent, to fulfill my duties with clarity&amp; assuredness. It’s all I sought for in the matter.
I’m thankful for all that Susan Mutami did as a single parent in the interim. She has been a capable mother, loves her child and has done very well. I will now step forward to take over as a responsible adult and parent.
I hope this brings closure to this, as a public matter, allowing us to proceed with the upbringing of this child in privacy.
It’s only because of previous public entanglements that I have felt the need to bring closure to it, in the same public, by announcing these results.
As parents of the child let us respect the future of the child and strive to have commensurate conduct in this matter.
Icho ndicho, bhuru rapinda mudanga. Tinovatambira Shumba nerudo mumhuri.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

DNA Test Results Confirm Temba Mliswa Is The Father Of Susan Mutami's Son

A Bulawayo-based doctor is suing his ex-lover for US$163 000 after discovering that a child he paid maintenance for over an 11-year period is not his.
Dr Roger Kruger Hendrick Chigangacha, a pathologist, has filed a lawsuit at the High Court seeking to recover the money from Natasha Popova Sibanda who misled him into raising another man’s child.
A DNA test in December last year confirmed that Chigangacha was not the father of the child, B-Metro reported. He told the High Court: 
<blockquote>
It was reasonably foreseeable or ought to have been foreseen by the defendant that her promiscuous behaviour at the time of conception would have resulted in me being falsely imputed fatherhood of the child.
By reason of the defendant’s conduct, I acted on her misrepresentation and paid for all the educational requirements of the child up to December 31, 2022.
I have also expended some money in respect of travels and costs towards the general welfare and upkeep of the minor child.
</blockquote>
He is requesting that the High Court order Sibanda to pay him US$100 000 for her false and dishonest attribution of the child’s paternity to him. 
The pathologist also requested that the court order his ex-lover, a former actress, to pay back the child’s upkeep bills, incidental expenditures, and extra damages in the amount of US$63 000.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Doctor Sues Ex-lover For US$163K For Maintenance Of Another Man's Child

Legal experts, scientists, and government officials are meeting in Kadoma for a three-day workshop to discuss the proposed DNA Forensic Evidence Bill.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) forensic evidence is useful in dealing with criminal cases before both criminal and civil courts.
Law Development Commission acting deputy chairperson Rex Shana said the Bill will seek to prescribe offences that require mandatory DNA profiling to be done and the DNA evidence will be used to prove whether a person is guilty or innocent. Said Shana:
<blockquote>
DNA forensic evidence has now been proven to be a powerful investigation tool; either to prove the guilt or innocence of a person.
Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe has come up with a DNA Forensic Evidence Bill, which will be presented to Cabinet, and if approved, to Parliament for crafting.
The Bill will also be useful in identifying victims of disasters.
It will include clauses to do with the collection, extraction, and preservation of laboratory analysis, and profiling of DNA-related issues.
Zimbabwe is now faced with crimes that need DNA evidence, and the country must have such a law.
… The Bill will also outline the manner in which DNA evidence should be tested, and the setting up of a National DNA database which will be housed under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage.
A council whose membership shall consist of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage officials, the Forensic Science Department (ZRP), the Ministry of Justice Legal, and other ancillary officials shall be established.
</blockquote>
University of Zimbabwe faculty of medicine lecturer Ian Machingura Ruredzo said:
<blockquote>
The Bill will ensure the nation standardises how DNA evidence is collected, processed and reported so that it can be used as evidence before the courts for identification purposes. The crafting of this Bill is long overdue.
</blockquote>
A detective inspector with the Criminal Investigators Department, who was a participant in the workshop, said:
<blockquote>
If enacted, the proposed law will make our work easier, and it will enhance the quality of forensic results pertaining to cases before the courts. This kind of legislation is long overdue.
</blockquote>
DNA tests and forensic evidence could be used in resolving murder, culpable homicide, treason, rape, and other offences. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005295/dna-evidence-bill-on-cards">NewsDay</a>

Govt Planning To Introduce DNA Evidence Bill

The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has offered free deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests for the pregnant nine-year-old Tsholotsho girl and her baby once she delivers.
The director of NUST’ Applied Genetic Testing Centre, Zephania Dlamini said it was part of their mandate to assist communities that were facing such crises. He told <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/dna-to-solve-tsholotsho-rape-case/">The Sunday News</a>:
<blockquote>
As a centre of excellence in DNA testing in Zimbabwe, we do have a responsibility to help the community that we are working in. We would be glad to help law enforcement agents to solve this case.
We will do this DNA testing as soon as the child is born, we will liaise with doctors so that we get the DNA samples from the suspect, the nine-year-old and the offspring that she is going to give birth to.
We will gladly conduct the DNA test as our contribution to society without charging them.
</blockquote>
He said since the matter was before the courts, they were waiting for the court to decide whether a DNA test was required, adding that the results would be given to the court officials. Said Dlamini:
<blockquote>
All life forms have genetic materials in the form of DNA. This DNA is inherited by individuals from their parents and human beings and animals usually have two pairs of chromosomes, half a pair comes from the mother and the other half from the father.
With that basically, there are no two individuals that have the same DNA except identical twins who have exactly the same DNA.
With the Tsholotsho case where we hear a nine-year-old is pregnant and the suspect is the father of this child, it is possible to distinguish the DNA of this man in this child who is supposed to be his grandchild and is now allegedly going to be the father.
You must recognise that he gave her only half and the other half is from the mother. So, there are some markers that are found within the father that will also be found in the nine-year-old.
The child to be born will have DNA markers that will be clear from the mother, we will analyse that DNA and then analyse from the suspected father and it will be possible to tell if he is indeed the perpetrator of the rape.
He can be excluded if we do not find his DNA in the child to be born. The importance of this is that we have to test the mother, new-born and the alleged perpetrator and it must match 100 percent with the suspect. It’s a simple case.
</blockquote>
Dlamini explained that not being the father of the to-be-born child would not necessarily exonerate him from having raped her. He said:
<blockquote>
If a person is charged with rape we do the tests and if they come out negative with no DNA match (with the newly born child), it does not mean they did not rape.
It may mean they did not impregnate the victim, but it does not necessarily provide evidence that they did not rape.
DNA cannot prove in that case, it can only exonerate one from being the father but not the rape case.
That one will remain the victim’s word against the perpetrator.
</blockquote>

NUST Offers Free DNA Tests For Impregnated 9-year-old Tsholotsho Girl

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has confirmed that the DNA tests conducted on the human remains suspected to be those of Livingstone Sunhwa yielded positive results.
In a statement, ZRP said the DNA results were obtained and handed over to Livingstone’s family on Wednesday, 21 September. Said ZRP:
<blockquote>
The ZRP confirms that Livingstone Sunhwa’s DNA results were obtained and handed over to his family on 21/09/22. The results were positive.
</blockquote>
Livingstone was a Form Four pupil at St Mathias Tsonzo High School in Watsomba when he controversially disappeared from the school during the first week of December 2021.
According to his sister, Pride, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/livingstone-sunhwas-sister-reveals-his-last-moments/">teachers at St Mathias Tsonzo High School assaulted Livingstone and banged his head into the wall until he could no longer speak.</a>
She said he was being punished for an alleged offence of stealing sweets and snacks from the school tuckshop.
Pride said Livingstone was assaulted in full view of the students just after break time. 
He was initially taken to Mutasa police station, as he was 19 years old before he was released into the hands of the school head Maxwell Sambona to allow him to write a ZIMSEC examination.
Sambona was later suspended, pending investigations. He was reportedly the last person seen with Livingstone on 5 December 2021 before the boy disappeared.
Selina Tadya, who is the mother of Livingstone and Pride, lost her husband almost a decade ago and was looking up to Livingstone to be the father figure for the family in future.
Livingstone’s father also died under unclear circumstances, while working in a mine in Mozambique.

Police Confirm Missing St Mathias Tsonzo High School's  DNA Results

DNA tests conducted on human remains found about a kilometre away from St Mathias Tsonzo High School in Watsomba have established that the remains belong to Livingstone Sunhwa, a pupil who disappeared from the school in December 2021.
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/dna-results-confirm-identity-of-missing-former-st-mathias-tsonzo-high-school-student/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> reported Livingstone’s mother, Selina Tadya, confirming the development and saying the family was preparing for burial. She said:
<blockquote>
We received the results yesterday and they are confirming that the remains are of Livingstone and we are now arranging for his burial.
</blockquote>
<h2>What happened to Livingstone?</h2>
According to his sister, Pride, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/livingstone-sunhwas-sister-reveals-his-last-moments/">teachers at St Mathias Tsonzo High School assaulted Livingstone and banged his head into the wall until he could no longer speak.</a>
She said he was being punished for an alleged offence of stealing sweets and snacks from the school tuckshop.
Pride said Livingstone was assaulted in full view of the students just after break time. She said:
<blockquote>
I saw them walking with Livingstone towards the Administration block. They started beating him there asking him how he gained entrance into the tuckshop. They were smashing his head into the wall.
There was a teacher on duty whom I asked why they were beating my brother and he said it was because he had stolen.
I asked if they had called my mother and he said they had not. When they were done beating him, he could no longer speak.
All this happened in full view of the students because we were just returning from break time.
… I last saw him at the admin block standing with the head, but I could not talk to him.
</blockquote>
He was initially taken to Mutasa police station, as he was 19 years old, before he was released into the hands of the school head Maxwell Sambona to allow him to write a ZIMSEC examination.
Sambona was later suspended, pending investigations. He was reportedly the last person seen with Livingstone on 5 December 2021 before the boy disappeared.
Tadya lost her husband almost a decade ago and was looking up to Livingstone to be the father figure for the family in future.
Livingstone’s father also died under unclear circumstances, while working in a mine in Mozambique.

DNA Results Confirm Identity Of Missing Former St Mathias Tsonzo High School Student

Some have said DNA tests to address the paternity issue should be mandatory adding that children must never be registered under the name of someone who is not their real father.
Responding to a video from the ZBC TV show “The Closure” a Zimbabwean version of the American “Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court” that address the issue of paternity, some said cases of fraud were on the rise.
Meanwhile, some said the show will give a heart attack to some men who have lived a lie for almost all their lives.
Watch the video they were responding to.
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 426px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="242" id="video-207231-1" preload="metadata" width="426"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/THE-CLOSURE-ZBC-DNA-TESTS.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/THE-CLOSURE-ZBC-DNA-TESTS.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/THE-CLOSURE-ZBC-DNA-TESTS.mp4</a></video></div>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>

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