Panashe Mpofu, a 33-year-old woman from Bulawayo, has been sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting a neighbor’s child after discovering that her son and three other children were skipping school.
According to reports, Mpofu became furious when she learned from the neighborhood watch in Old Luveve that her son, two girls, and another boy had been absent from school and were instead loitering at a house where the owners are reportedly living in the United Kingdom. The second boy is said to live at the property.
On November 8, Mpofu confronted the group and used a switch to beat her son and the two girls, after the other boy managed to flee the scene.
The family of one of the girls involved reported the incident to the police, which led to Mpofu’s arrest.
Mpofu, who appeared in court without legal representation, pleaded guilty to assault. At the West Commonage Magistrates Court, Magistrate Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe sentenced her to two years in prison, with six months conditionally suspended, meaning she will serve an effective 18 months.
In his statement before sentencing, Magistrate Chikwekwe highlighted the prevalence of assault cases in Bulawayo, noting that such incidents were reported daily and often left victims with lasting injuries. He pointed out that the child victim had sustained injuries severe enough to prevent her from attending school and noted the financial burden her family had to bear for medical treatment.
The victim is the niece of well-known Matopo gold miner Mkhululi Ncube and controversial lawyer Mlweliwenkululeko Ncube.
Mpofu’s family is reportedly seeking to appeal the sentence with the help of a lawyer from Bulawayo. A family spokesperson defended Mpofu’s actions, arguing that she was merely disciplining children who had been engaging in inappropriate behavior, and suggested the victim’s family should be grateful rather than prosecuting her.
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