adminSenior Court Reporter
A DESPERATE man kidnapped his own a five-month-old baby to force his estranged wife to return to their matrimonial home, a Bulawayo magistrate heard yesterday.
Takundwa Mtetwa convicted Jacob Moyo, 28, of contravening a section of the Child Protection Act and sentenced him to a wholly suspended three months in prison.Moyo, of Bremer, Village 20 in Inyathi, pleaded guilty to the charge.
Prosecuting, Kudakwashe Jaravaza said Moyo’s estranged wife left for her parents’ home and when Moyo realised she was not returning, he decided to follow her with the intention of persuading her to come back.
When he got to the in-laws’ place in Trelie area, Moyo found his five-month-old son playing in the yard with other children as the mother and other family members had gone to cut thatching grass.
Moyo, a mine worker decided to take his child home and he told the court that his action was meant to force his wife to return to their matrimonial home.
Prosecutors said the boy was as a result deprived of breastfeeding for 24 hours.
Moyo begged the court for leniency saying his actions were out of love for his wife and son.
derick.khumalo