Mother arrested for burning her child’s genitals

A LIVID Chipinge woman did the unthinkable when she torched her four-year-old daughter’s private parts after accusing her of being intimate with their neighbour’s seven-year-old son.

The angry woman, Agnes Matimai (27), pulled a burning log from the fire and pressed it against the minor’s privates.

The heinous incident sparked outrage in the community, with irate residents meting out instant mob justice before handing her over to the police.

The community described the incident as a “shocking and unthinkable act of brutality”.

Matimai was recently hauled before Chipinge magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa, who convicted her of ill-treating the child and sentenced her to 24 months in jail.

Mr Mupeiwa, however, suspended 12 months of the sentence on condition she does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

The other 12 months were also suspended on condition she performs 480 hours of community service at Kopera Primary School.

Mr Themba Dhliwayo prosecuted.

He said on March 6, 2024, around 7pm, Matimai summoned the victim and accused her of having a sexual relationship with their neighbour’s son.

“She became furious after the child did not answer her and burnt her private parts using a burning piece of firewood that she had pulled from the fire. The child sustained some burns on her private parts and on observing that, Matimai’s husband reported the matter to the police, leading to her arrest,” he said.

In sentencing her, Mr Mupeiwa said the pain inflicted on the innocent girl left physical and emotional scars that will be difficult to heal, even with time.

“Yes, your actions were fuelled by rage, but that did not give you the authority to ill-treat your child in that manner. Thankfully, your husband did not remain silent because he swiftly reported the incident to the police, who wasted no time in apprehending you. Otherwise, you could have ended up killing that child, who solely depends on you . . .

“You will be made an example to anyone who dares ill-treat their children,” he said.

Mr Mupeiwa said the woman deserved an effective jail sentence as she had betrayed her child’s trust.

He, however, noted that Matimai was a first offender and made her atone for her transgressions through performing 480 hours of community service.

In mitigation, Matimai showed contrition and begged the court for forgiveness.

She admitted acting out of rage, having foolishly reasoned that the complainant was intimate with their neighbour’s son.

Residents expressed their disgust over the mother’s actions.

“An angry mob — driven by shock and outrage — attacked her as she has a bad record of being an abusive mother,” said Chipo Matimba.

Another resident, Joseph Kopera, said: “I do not think she will ever repeat it, given the manner the community dealt with her. It was inhumane for her as a mother to treat a little girl in the manner she did. Such an act can only be perpetrated by an evil person. No sane mother can ever do that to her own child. We are glad that the court gave her an appropriate sentence. She has leant a life lesson,” he said. — Manica Post

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Goblins end siege on Bulawayo kids

The torment of three children from Magwegwe North suburb in Bulawayo —  allegedly caused by unseen creatures suspected to be goblins — has finally ended after they found help from a local church.

The windows and doors at the family’s house were reportedly opening and closing on their own, while lights flickered and strange sounds were heard.

Food could even disappear while being prepared.

Mayinesi Chongwe, the great-grandmother of the children who were reportedly tormented by the unseen creatures, revealed that normalcy had returned to her home.

“I am happy normalcy has finally returned to our house. We live peacefully now and we truly appreciate the help from a local church. Church members came and said they believed a spirit was haunting us,” she said.

“We prayed and fasted together. After these intense prayers and fasting, everything seems normal again. I am delighted the unseen creatures seem to have been sent back from where they came and the property they stole appears to have been recovered.”

Chongwe stated that her great-granddaughter, who experienced a frightening incident on her way to school, will resume classes.

“We have assessed the situation and I believe that my great-granddaughter who was previously tormented by goblins will continue with her studies. I appreciate the media’s help in finding a solution to this crisis. I hope you will continue to assist other families facing similar situations,” she said.

Chongwe emphasised that the prayer sessions were instrumental in clearing her name from accusations of witchcraft she previously faced.

A family member who wished to remain anonymous spoke about the difficult situation the family had been facing in the months leading up to the local church’s intervention.

“It started one morning last November. Our children woke up with their heads shaved. We thought it was a one-off thing. The next day, our youngest child woke up in the middle of the night, screaming. He had been stabbed in the leg with a knife! He also woke up with his head shaved again. We were all terrified and completely clueless about what was happening,” said the family member.

From then on, narrated the family member, the paranormal torment escalated.

“We sought help from different prophets and churches but the situation only worsened after each attempt.

‘‘Doors and windows would open inexplicably; our children’s clothes, especially their uniforms, would be torn and they could no longer attend school.

“We hired a spiritual healer for a cleansing ceremony. The following day, the house mysteriously burned down, but only the bedrooms were affected. Everything in the kitchen and dining room was untouched,” said the family member.

Desperate for a solution, they sent the children to South Africa to stay with their maternal grandmother but the strange events resumed within three days of their arrival.

The children were later brought back to Zimbabwe.

“We tried to protect the children by making them sleep at a neighbour’s house, but the disturbances followed them there, too. The children are suffering the most and there is no peace in our lives. Everyone is afraid of us and we do not know where to turn. We are pleading for any help we can get,” narrated the family member before the church’s intervention. — Mashudu Mambo (Bulawayo Bureau)