Father’s love for Nyau dancers leads to child’s death

Sunday Mail Reporter

A 20-YEAR-OLD MAN was last week sentenced to three years in prison after he was convicted of accidentally killing his two-month-old son with a stray fist aimed at his wife in a fight that broke out after he refused to go home while watching Nyau dancers.

Mike Ndlovu was initially sentenced to five years in jail when he appeared before Chinhoyi High Court judge Justice Philda Muzofa on a murder charge.

He was, however, convicted of culpable homicide.

In her sentence, Justice Muzofa set aside two years on condition he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

It was the State’s case that on Christmas Day in 2021, Ndlovu and his wife took their two-month-old son to Ngoni township to watch Nyau dancers.

Around 9pm, Ndlovu’s wife indicated that it was time to return home, but Ndlovu, who was drinking beer, would have none of it.

He then struck his wife, who had their son strapped on her back, with a fist.

The wife retaliated and a fist fight broke out.

During the melee, Ndlovu threw a punch that missed his wife and landed on their child, who died instantly.

In sentencing Ndlovu, Justice Muzofa noted that his degree of blameworthiness was high.

“Although this was a deflected blow, the accused, with some hindsight, could have acted responsibly and avoided this needless death. This was a case of domestic violence, where the accused assaulted his wife. It then resulted in the death of his son,” said the judge.

“At 20, the accused has schooled himself to domestic violence. A short custodial sentence will achieve both the rehabilitation and the retribution that is called for in this case.

“The accused must reconsider his ways and be a better citizen after release from prison. His violent conduct must be nipped in the bud. The degree of negligence is high.”