dyton mupawaenda
Zvikomborero Parafini
THE former police officer, who was convicted of ill-treating his son after he assaulted him with a rope, a wire and a brick, has been ordered to commit community service at Mabvuku Police Station.
Knowell Muzenda pleaded guilty to the offence.
He pleaded for a lenient sentence in mitigation stating that he’s the breadwinner for his son, and his other siblings, as well as for his pregnant wife.
Presiding magistrate Ayanda Dhlamini sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment and six months were suspended on condition that he doesn’t commit a similar offence in the next five years.
The remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that he performs 120 hours of community service at Mabvuku Police Station.
The incident took place in Eastview Phase 6 when his wife Sarah Mafara, 36, was away for a church conference in Hwedza.
Sara was called to the stand and also pleaded for leniency.
“We stay well with our children and this is the first time he has severely assaulted our son like this, I believe this incident was triggered by the alcohol he had been drinking.
“He has apologised to me and the kids and may the court be lenient with him so that he can take care of the family, we are willing to go for positive parenting sessions to allow us to take good care of our children,” she said.
The State had argued that assaulting and ill-treating children is a serious offence and urged the court to impose a custodial sentence.
“It has been established that he is a habitual perpetrator of physical abuse on his child and on this day the boy was lucky that someone recorded this incident and shared it on social media.
“The probation officer assessed that the child was traumatised and the fact that he has forgiven his father is neither here nor there, he’s just worried that he won’t have anyone to take care of him.”
“The weapons used in assaulting the child are dangerous, the father used a black rubber rope, a wire and a brick.
“He’s the father and he ought to have used moderate means to reprimand the child and the State is of the view that a fine would trivialise the offence and the State prays that a deterrent sentence be imposed.
“He ought to have protected his child but he subjected him to trauma and abuse.”
The court heard that on October 6, in Eastview, Muzenda sent his son to buy spaghetti at a nearby tuckshop.
The boy returned later than expected.
This did not go down well with his father who then assaulted him with a black rubber rope, a wire and bricks all over his body.
The boy sustained a swollen left cheek, bruises on the back, a swollen right leg and pain all over his body.
Online Reporter