adminPatience Mutsiwi Midlands Reporter
A MAID from Gweru will spend the next 30 days in jail for ill-treating and physically abusing her employer’s five-year-old daughter when the minor’s mother was away. Sithule Nyoni (46) of Ascot suburb pleaded not guilty to assault and abuse of a child when she appeared before Gweru Magistrate Mr Vimbai Makora. She was, however, convicted and sentenced to one month in jail.
In passing sentence, Mrs Makora said ill-treating and physically abusing children was a serious offence that called for a deterrent sentence.
“The medical report that was produced by the State in the court proved that you physically abused the child. The child had bruises on her buttocks and face. Also the child narrated in court that your 12-year-old child that you brought home during your employer’s absence assaulted her several times. Therefore a custodial sentence will meet the justice of the case,” said the magistrate.
Nyoni pleaded with the magistrate not to send her to jail. “Your Worship, may you exercise leniency. If you send me to jail or for community service l will lose my job. Also, l have a 12-year-old child to take care of,” said Nyoni.
Prosecuting, Mr Bernard Nyoni said in May this year, Mrs Beauty Gumbo went to South Africa for personal business, leaving her five-year-old daughter in Nyoni’s custody. The court heard that Nyoni used a broom stick to assault the child several times. Nyoni’s 12-year-old daughter also assaulted the five year old, the court heard.
The prosecutor said the minor fell sick, and Nyoni failed to send her to hospital for treatment. She also failed to advice the girl’s mother on the illness.
“The matter came to light when Beauty Gumbo came back without notice and found her child with a swollen head and some scars on her body. She interrogated her and she narrated what had transpired during her absence and the mother reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the accused,” said the prosecutor.
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