adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A 27-YEAR-OLD Inyathi man was yesterday sentenced to an effective nine years in jail for assaulting his two-year-old son to death as punishment for soiling himself.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo on circuit in Hwange, convicted Gilbert Ndlovu of Dromoland village of culpable homicide for causing the death of his son,Gift.
Ndlovu who was initially facing a murder charge, was convicted of a lesser charge of culpable homicide.
In passing the sentence, Justice Moyo said the courts frowned upon such actions and had a duty to uphold the sanctity of life.
“Although the court concluded that it was not your intention to kill your son, it is clear that you acted negligently resulting in his death. The courts do not condone such deplorable actions especially by parents,” she said.
Justice Moyo said what was painful was that Ndlovu caused the death of his own son.
“It is the view of this court that a sentence of nine years in jail will meet the justice of this case,” she said.
Prosecuting, Namatirai Ngwasha said between April 8 and 9 this year, Gift soiled himself on two occasions.
The court heard that on the second occasion, Ndlovu got angry and took a stick and assaulted his son all over the body until he lost consciousness.
The court heard that the following day, Ndlovu rushed the boy to Inyathi Hospital before he was transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital where he died minutes later from the injuries sustained.
Ndlovu through his lawyer Tonderai Mukuku of Marondedze and Mukuku legal practitioners said it was not his intention to kill his son but admitted he negligently caused his death.
Online Reporter