Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
SIX-YEAR-OLD twin brothers from Chivhu are recovering at Chitungwiza Central Hospital after allegedly being physically abused by their biological father.
The boys sustained severe injuries, including third-degree burns and fractured legs, following the alleged assault.
The incident is reported to have been triggered by accusations that the children had stolen sugar.
Eyes brimming with tears and visibly shaken, their mother, Rebecca Pfukamayi, narrated how the abuse came to light after police contacted her to collect the children and take them for medical treatment.
“We separated when I was pregnant with the twin boys. I am now married to someone else, but all along, I was staying with my children and there was no problem. In December last year, their father requested that the boys stay with him so that he could send them to school, but from January, they were not attending school. The abuse issue came to light when the police contacted me, asking me to come to Chivhu and take the children to the hospital.,” she narrated.
“They were beaten and tortured by their father after being accused of stealing sugar. They were also severely malnourished and said they were sometimes left to sleep outside the house. What pains me most is that after injuring my children, both the father and stepmother did not take them to the hospital, neighbours had to intervene and call the police and that is how my sons got help.”
The incident has sparked controversy over the extent to which parental disciplinary action should go.
A social worker at Chitungwiza Central Hospital, Ms Rutendo Chinhoyi, urged parents and guardians to exercise caution when disciplining children.
“This is a very sad incident. We urge parents to be mindful of how they discipline their children so that they do not end up with permanent injuries and trauma. We understand children are sometimes mischievous, it is a common trait as they grow up and this does not call for unnecessary punishment. We also urge parents and caregivers to seek counselling in the event of serious mental health issues so that children do not suffer the consequences of their actions. Community members or neighbours should report any form of abuse to the police to ensure children live in safe spaces.”
Meanwhile, the father of the twins has appeared at the Chivhu Magistrates Courts and was remanded in custody.
While Zimbabwe has made significant strides on many child protection issues, most child abuse cases go unreported and the most disturbing trend is that, in many instances, children suffer at the hands of the people they trust.
