EVIL FATHER GETS EIGHT YEARS IN JAIL FOR ILL-TREATING HIS TWINS

Arron Nyamayaro

A 44-year-old Chivhu man will spend the next EIGHT years in prison for ill-treating his twin sons, including forcing the minors to place their hands on hot charcoal.

Daniel Sithole Mangwaju was left in the custody of his twin sons, who are aged six, by his ex-wife in January this year.

The couple separated and the wife got married to another man.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Simon Chazovachii, said sometime in March this year, Mangwaju assaulted the twins with a switch and rubber pipe several times.

He was accusing them of stealing food in the house.

On one occasion, Mangwaju allegedly took a shovel, which had hot charcoal, and forced the twins to place their bare hands on the charcoal.

“On March 25, this year, a tip-off was received by police officers at ZRP Chivhu.

The officers attended the crime scene.

“The victims were found alone at home and had sores on their backs, swollen feet, sores on their faces and burns on their hands.

“They were ferried to a local hospital for treatment. The accused person was later arrested on the same day.

“The accused person appeared before Chivhu Regional Magistrate Mazhambe and the State was represented by Mike Choto on March 28, 2026,” said Insp Chazovachii.

He added:

“In April, the complainants were transferred to a hospital in Harare for further management.

“On 28 April, 2026, the accused person appeared before Chivhu Regional Magistrate Makwanya Tatenda and the State was represented by Mike Choto.

“The accused was facing attempted murder charges and he was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment and two years were suspended for five years for good behaviour.”

Twins Association of Zimbabwe founders, Farai Lawyer and Tendai Mayor Katonha, said the twins have since been discharged from Chitungwiza General Hospital, where they were admitted.

“We visited the twins at the hospital and we confirm that they have since been discharged.

“The foundation donated groceries and clothes to the twins,” said the Katonha twins in a statement.