Sentenced for neglect

of neglecting his three children who died of measles after he failed to immunise them.
Clever Muketi (59) of Neshuro Village appeared before Mwenezi magistrate Mr Stan Mambanje charged with contravening the Child Protection and Adoption Act Chapter 5:06 Section (7)(2b). He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment but five years were suspended on condition of good behaviour while the rest were suspended on condition that he performs 315 hours of community service.
In passing sentence, Mr Mambanje said Muketi had been saved from jail because he was a breadwinner and had other children to take care of.
Prosecutor Mr Thomas Mkandla proved that Muketi, who has eight wives and more than 35 children, neglected three of his offspring by denying them access to healthcare because it was against his religious beliefs.
As a result they died from measles. In October 2010 health workers got a report from Muketi’s neighbours that three of his daughters had suffered and died from measles that same month. During investigations, the mothers of the children told their local health worker that the deaths were attributable to natural causes. The court heard that Muketi admitted his children had died of measles after he was confronted by an investigation team from Neshuro Social Services Department. The officials reported him to the police and he was aware of immunisation.
Zimbabwe has a comprehensive free national immunisation programme that seeks to inoculate children against the seven child killer diseases. – CR.