Dete father jailed for ordering sons to hang themselves

Fairness Moyana in Hwange

A 34-year-old man from Dete in Hwange District has been sentenced to nine months in prison after being found guilty of instructing his two young sons to hang themselves and threatening to kill them while wielding a knife.

Israel Ndlovu, of Chezhou Village under Chief Nekatambe, appeared before Hwange provincial magistrate Miss Fungai Dzimiri facing four counts of contravening Section 7 of the Children’s Act (Chapter 5:06) — “ill-treating a child.”

He pleaded not guilty to all charges, but following a full trial, the court found him guilty on all four counts.
Ndlovu was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, with six months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve nine months behind bars.

Prosecutor Ms Chido Gracious Tshuma told the court that the first incidents occurred on February 7, 2024, when Ndlovu ordered his sons, Trymore (13) and Priority (8), to climb into the ceiling of their home where he had tied electric wires. He instructed them to hang themselves, fully aware of the serious harm this could cause.

The terrified boys fled to their great-grandmother’s homestead and later reported the matter, prompting police involvement.

The abuse escalated on August 4, 2025, when Ndlovu allegedly abducted the boys from their great-grandmother’s home, tied their hands, and marched them into a nearby bush.

While there, he tied Trymore’s hands and legs and threatened to kill him, saying in Nambya, “Ndimuda kukubulaya,” which translates to “I want to kill you,” while wielding an okapi knife.

In a separate incident on the same day, Ndlovu allegedly struck Priority on the right arm with a log and again threatened to kill him in the same chilling manner.

The children managed to free themselves and escape, reporting the matter to community members and the police, which led to Ndlovu’s arrest.

In passing sentence, the court condemned Ndlovu’s actions, stating that his conduct endangered both the psychological and physical well-being of his children.

Although the boys were not medically examined due to financial constraints, affidavits were submitted in court confirming the abuse.