adminThandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO woman who kidnapped a five-year-old girl has been slapped with a five-year jail sentence. The mother of three from Mahatshula suburb, Lethu Nkomo, kidnapped the girl from Renkini Bus Terminus and kept her for 10 days. Passing sentence, regional magistrate Mark Dzira urged parents to take good care of their children and never leave them unattended.
“A deterrent sentence is called for under these circumstances given that your moral blameworthiness is very high. You took the child home and kept her and it appears you do not have children of your own as stated earlier,” said magistrate Dzira.
“You were very cruel in your actions. You will therefore be sentenced to five years imprisonment of which two years are suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.” Nkomo, whose age could not be ascertained, used money to lure the girl who was picking empty bottles at the terminus.
She pleaded guilty to kidnapping, saying she did not know what came over her. Prosecuting, Tinashe Dzipe said on November 27 between 9AM and 1PM, Nkomo met the girl who was with two friends. The three children were picking empty bottles and the two older ones eventually left the girl near the public toilets with the bottles for safe keeping.
Nkomo spotted the girl and promised her money if she accompanied her to her house, said Dzipe. Moyo, the court heard, took the child to her home in Mahatshula where she kept her for 10 days. The girl was rescued when police got a tip off from the public after her picture was published in The Chronicle.
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