Nkosentsha Khumalo
Brunette Tshuma
A 46 Year Old man, father of two from Newton West Suburb in Bulawayo was at the receiving end of the law last week when he landed himself before the Bulawayo Magistrates Court, facing charges of allegedly neglecting his children by failing to provide them with basic necessities.
Allegations against the accused are that he deprives his children of birth certificates, education, and food, causing them to seek refuge at a relative’s home.
Police launched investigations into the matter, culminating in the arrest and arraignment of the accused person, Kandai Mtasa in Court to answer for allegations of depravation and neglect.
During appearance in Court before Magistrate Nobuhle Ndlovu, the accused was further remanded to October 24 for the continuation of trial.
The two complainants in this case are a 19 year old female adult and a 15 year old male juvenile, both residing at a house in Nketa 7, Bulawayo.
The female adult is unemployed, while the male juvenile is a student at a private college in Bellevue, Bulawayo. Both complainants remain unnamed to protect their identity and welfare as minors.
The accused, Mtasa, is a male adult residing in Newton West, Bulawayo, and is self-employed.
Mtasa is the biological father of the two unnamed complainants.
Prosecutor Portia Mshungu told the court that the accused, Mtasa failed to provide for the basic needs of the two complainants since birth, including the acquisition of birth certificates, payment of school fees, and provision of food.
These failures reportedly continued until the present date and are the basis of the charges against Mtasa.
According to Court records, on numerous occasions, Mtasa would chase his children from home, tear off their books when he finds them studying, switch off the lights, throw away their food and force them to sleep outside the house and this usually happens when the two complainants ask the accused person when he would acquire them the birth-certificates.
Court revelations are that on October 7, 2024, the two complainants reportedly endured yet another episode of abuse, prompting them to finally report their situation to the authorities.
This decisive action led to the arrest of the accused, bringing the cycle of neglect and abuse to an end and enabling the children to seek justice for the harm they had suffered.
State proceedings are expected on October 24.
Zim GBC News©2024