Zimpapers Logo

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A TRADITIONAL healer from Bulilima was arrested for allegedly biting and whipping her seven-year-old grandson each time he displeased her.

The boy and his three-year-old sibling were left under their grandmother’s custody by their mother who works in Botswana.

A teacher at Thambana Primary School where the boy is doing Grade Two, noticed the child was withdrawn and his hands were swollen.

She questioned the boy leading to revelation of the abuse.

The granny, Elizabeth Moyo, 59, of Madlambuzi area admitted to biting and battering her grandson with an animal hide whip when she appeared before Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa facing two counts of ill treating a child.

Ruvetsa sentenced Moyo to six months imprisonment and suspended three months on condition that she does not within that period commit an offence of a similar nature.

The remaining three months were further suspended on condition that she performs 105 hours of community service at Thambana Primary School.

Moyo who begged for forgiveness told the court that she was disciplining her grandson.

“I was just correcting him and I didn’t realise that I was doing it in a harsh manner. It wasn’t my intention to inflict any injuries on him in the process,” said Moyo.

Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said the offence came to light after the boy’s teacher noticed swelling on his hands and then questioned him.

“The boy’s teacher noticed that his hands were swollen and that he was having difficulties in sitting and she questioned him. He later revealed that he had been assaulted by his grandmother and also showed her the injuries that he had sustained on his back,” he said.

Mazorodze said the teacher then reported the matter to the police resulting in Moyo’s arrest.

The court heard Moyo would bite and batter her grandson every time he misbehaved.

Mazorodze said last year the boy mistakenly dropped his grandmother’s plate and she severely assaulted him.

“On a date unknown but last year the complainant accidently broke a plate that he was washing. This didn’t go well with Moyo who whipped the boy on his back and on the head. She went on to bite the boy several times on his hands thereby inflicting injuries,” said Mazorodze.

He said during the month of February Moyo found her grandson having a bath around 6PM.

He said Moyo asked the boy why he was taking a bath in the evening.

Moyo, Mazorodze said, whipped him on his back and then bit him on his hands causing him to sustain injuries.

In passing his sentence Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa lashed out at Moyo for being an improper guardian for the children.

“It isn’t expected of a grandmother to treat her grandchildren in the manner that you’re treating yours. Grandmothers are known to show extra care for children but your case is different.

“I should have sent you to prison because of your heartless actions but I’ve considered that you’re the only person that these children have as a guardian,” said Ruvetsa.