Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
A WOMAN who had taken too much dagga and accused her 12-year-old daughter of being a liar before assaulting her and placing her on a hot stove, burning her buttocks, has been convicted and sentenced to 10 months in jail.
Sakhile Mathe (30) from Badala Village 3, Inyathi District appeared before Inyathi Resident Magistrate Mr Challenge Mahembe charged with physical abuse as defined in section 3(1)(a) as read with 4(1) of the Domestic Violence Act Chapter 5:16.
Mr Mahembe sentenced the offender to 15 months in jail. He suspended five months on condition that she does not commit an offence involving violence for a period of five years and, if she is convicted within five years, she will be sentenced without the option of a fine.
In delivering the sentence, Mr Mahembe stated that the child was a reliable witness and narrated sequentially how the offender severely assaulted her before placing her on a hot stove. “The child vividly narrated how she was subjected to severe beating and placed on a hot stove, burning her buttocks. The child depends on the mother for survival, hence if she was burnt by someone there was no reason to shift the blame from the offender,” he said.
“The witness was reliable and credible as her testimony was substantiated by the medical report, which shows that the child sustained septic burns on the back,” said Mr Mahembe.
In mitigation, the offender said she was heavily intoxicated after smoking dagga.“Your Worship, I’m really sorry for what I did. I had taken too much dagga and I did not know what I was doing. I’m really sorry for what I did. I plead with the court not to jail me as I’m the sole breadwinner who looks after the child,” she said.
In aggravation, Prosecutor Ms Hapiness Nleya argued that the offender, who was supposed to show love to her child, decided to be evil.
“She was in a position of authority and was taking care of her child, but she chose to inflict injury on her child by indiscriminately assaulting her and placing her on a hot stove. The child sustained serious injuries and was emotionally hurt.
“Her actions betrayed the traits of a mother. The child is now at Msasa where she is being kept and that paints a bad picture about you. The State prays for a severe punishment so as to deter would-be offenders,” said Ms Nleya.
She told the court that the incident occurred in July 2026 at around 6pm as offender came back from her vending business and started accusing the complainant of being a liar, threatening to beat her severely.
“The offender slapped the complainant once on the cheek, assaulted her with a stick all over her body and went on to light a gas stove and placed the complainant on it. The complainant suffered severe burns on her buttocks,” said Ms Nleya.
A neighbour rushed the complainant to Inyathi District Hospital for medical attention. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the offender.
