admin
Thandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A 22-YEAR-OLD mother of two was yesterday dragged to court for the second time after she dumped the two children in a bush near Montrose suburb.Jestina James allegedly took the two toddlers, a girl and a boy aged two and one year eight months and left them in a bush and according to her she is “fed up” by taking care of the children.
The children were rescued by a policewoman who was walking to work after she heard them crying.
James appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Tinashe Tashaya facing charges of ill-treatment or neglecting children.
She pleaded guilty.
She told the court that she was unemployed and that the children’s father abandoned them as he went to South Africa.
“Your Honour, I’m not working and the father of these kids left me months ago. He’s not doing anything and I had no option but to dump them again because I had nothing to offer them,” James said.
She added that her friend advised her to dump the children.
“I was influenced to do that your Honour and I promise not do it again. I once dumped them last year and was warned in court. I will go and look for a job soon and take care of my kids,” she said in mitigation.
Magistrate Tashaya asked her what stopped her from looking for a job the first time she was convicted of neglecting the two children.
“It amazes me how you committed the same offence after being given another chance by the court. You’ve been found guilty as charged and you’ll come back tomorrow for your sentence,” said magistrate Tashaya.
Busani Moyo appeared for the state.
Online Reporter