Aunt sentenced to community service for abusing toddler, exposing false accident claim

GWERU – A 24-year-old Gweru woman has been sentenced to 106 hours of community service for brutally assaulting her 3-year-old niece, contradicting her initial claim that the toddler’s injuries were caused by a fall.

The accused, whose name was withheld to protect the victim’s identity was convicted of contravening the Children’s Act following a full trial at Gweru Magistrates’ Court.

According to State papers, on March 4, 2024, the complainant’s mother left her 3-year-old child in Gweru with her aunt to pursue education in Shurugwi.

On May 25, 2024, the accused person informed the mother that the 3-year-old complainant had sustained facial injuries in a fall.

Following the incident, the mother subsequently took her daughter to Shurugwi Hospital where medical examination revealed the injuries were not caused by a fall.

The matter was reported to the police who conducted investigations and confirmed, through a neighbour’s testimony that the accused person had mistreated the child.

The accused person was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment of which 3 months was suspended on condition of good behaviour.

The remaining 3 months were suspended on condition that the woman performs 106 hours of community service.