adminLeonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
TWO minor children endured four days inside a Victoria Falls suburban house without food and missed school after their mother, who is alleged to be a prostitute, locked them in it while she went in search of clients in the resort town’s nightclubs, a court heard.
The woman’s relatives have since advised the court to invite a probation officer to determine whether they should be taken into the custody of the social welfare department.
Matron Ndiweni, 24, appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Sharon Rosemani and admitted that she locked her children in the house.
The minors broke a window and went outside the house but couldn’t go anywhere. Their mother’s aunt Khalister Ndiweni saw them sitting outside, inquired and they opened up.
Ndiweni, of Mfelandawonye Township, pleaded guilty to child abuse and told the court that going to night clubs was her only source of livelihood.
“I go clubbing because that is where I get money to support my children and at that time I had gone to fend for them,” she said.
The magistrate found her guilty and said she would sentence her after getting a report from a Probation Officer.
“I can’t sentence you today because we have to make arrangements with the Probation Officer to come here and give direction on what will happen to the children because your aunt said she cannot stay with them. The Probation Officer will then tell us whether you are fit to stay with them or not and what should happen to them,” said Rosemani.
Prosecuting, Takunda Ndovorwi said Ndiweni detained her children on November 1 at 10PM as she went out.
“The accused locked her children in the bedroom as she went away on Friday for four days leaving them without food or keys to unlock. The children only managed to go out through a broken window,” said the prosecutor.
Their mother’s aunt saw them sitting outside and asked why they did not go to school upon which the minors revealed that their mother had abandoned them, added the prosecutor.
The aunt went to report the matter to the police, leading to her arrest.
derick.khumalo