Crimes and Courts Correspondent
A 30-year-old woman from Mutare’s Chief Zimunya area appeared in court, facing charges under the Children’s Protection and Adoption Act for assaulting her 11-month-old baby.
The disturbing incident came to light after a video of the assault went viral on social media. The woman allegedly laid her child face down on the floor and hit her multiple times with a stick, instructing her to crawl, and then sent the video to the child’s father.
She pleaded guilty and claimed to have an undisclosed mental disorder during mitigation.
The court has remanded her in custody until October 30, 2024, pending evaluations by two doctors as per the Mental Health Act.
Former Chivi South MP Killer Zivhu suggested that poverty and frustration might have driven the woman’s actions. He expressed that she needs counseling rather than imprisonment and even offered $2,500 to help her start an income-generating project.
This case highlights the complexities surrounding mental health, poverty, and child abuse in Zimbabwe. While some argue that the woman’s actions are inexcusable, others believe that underlying issues need to be addressed.
Case Details:
- Location: Chief Zimunya area, Mutare
- Charges: Children’s Protection and Adoption Act
- Incident: Assaulting 11-month-old baby with a stick
- Video Evidence: Sent to child’s father, went viral on social media
- Plea: Guilty, claiming mental disorder
- Remand: Until October 30, 2024, pending mental health evaluations
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