adminIn separate interviews last week, some villagers said they had noted with concern the woman’s conduct which they said was deplorable.
Ndlovu’s continued abuse of her daughter has forced some concerned villagers to take the child away from her.
The child has since been sent to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where she is receiving counselling and treatment for injuries she sustained after being allegedly assaulted by her mother.
In an interview yesterday, Ms Sibongile Ncube, who is a local village health worker (VHW), said the community decided to remove the child from her mother’s custody following alleged serious physical abuse.
“The community held a meeting and decided to remove the child from its mother’s custody and place it with me early this year. I then took the child to the Department of Social Welfare who handled the matter at that level.
“We are told Simangele was taken to court but given a wholly suspended sentence. But it’s pathetic here. As I speak, the child is at Gwanda Provincial Hospital having been admitted on Saturday and her face is deformed and the whole body has assault marks,” she said.
“I strongly recommend that medical doctors examine her because I do not think that anyone in their right senses would abuse her child just like what this woman is doing,” she added.
An official from the Department of Social Welfare who chose anonymity confirmed the incident.
“The matter was referred to our office and we produced a probation officer’s report which led to Simangele Ndlovu appearing in court last year.
“However, she was given a wholly suspended sentence and now she has violated the court’s ruling. We will ensure that the law takes its course. At the moment we are working on putting
the minor at a safe place,” said the official.
There is a children’s home in Makwe which caters for orphaned and abused children in Matabeleland South and is being managed by a retired provincial social welfare officer.
Online Reporter