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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
TWO Bulawayo school bullies have been arrested for blindfolding three pupils and shoving sticks into their anuses. Their victims had to be rushed to hospital after sustaining anal injuries.

The two boys aged 16 and 15 years, who attend Emganwini Secondary and Nketa Primary schools and cannot be named for legal reasons, were convicted of three counts of aggravated indecent assault by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira.

They were sentenced to receive five strokes with a rattan cane.

In passing sentence, Dzira blamed the boys’ parents for failing to offer parental guidance.

“The accused displayed an anti-social behaviour and their actions caused physical and psychological injury to the complainants.

It is clear that they lacked parental guidance and control since one of the accused’s parents are both in South Africa and he stays with his grandmother,” said the magistrate.

Dzira said although the two boys committed a gruesome offence, he could not send them to jail because of their age and lack of maturity

“You deserved a stiff and deterrent sentence but because of your age you need to be given a second chance to reform.

‘‘The court also notes that if incarcerated you’ll come out of jail as hardcore criminals and become a burden to your parents and the community.

‘‘Corporal punishment will meet the justice of the case and accordingly you’ll receive five strokes,” ruled the magistrate.

The accused’s lawyer, Patience Moyo, from Justice for Children Trust pleaded for leniency, arguing that the two juveniles lacked maturity.

“The accused lacked maturity because of their age and they deserve a rehabilitative and reformatory sentence.

‘‘They showed remorse and may the court tamper justice with mercy by giving the accused a second chance to mend their ways and become responsible citizens,” said Moyo.

Prosecuting, Tinashe Dzipe said on July 6 last year, the complainant aged 13 absconded from school with his two friends.

They were playing at Nketa recreational park when they were spotted by their would be attackers.

The bullies took turns to shove sticks into each pupil’s anus.