By Children’s Voices Reporter
A 28-year-old Zvishavane man has been sentenced to an effective seven years in prison after his 6-year-old niece died following repeated assaults during writing lessons.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said the High Court sitting at Gweru convicted Takudzwa Wellington Chimutso, of Village Kosvoro under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane, of culpable homicide.
The court sentenced Chimutso to nine years in prison and suspended two years, leaving him to serve seven years.
Prosecutors identified the child as Praise Tsoneka.
The NPAZ said Chimutso assaulted Praise on January 19 and 20, 2026, while trying to teach her how to write her name and vowels.
According to prosecutors, Chimutso first struck the child with mopane and “muchekesani” switches after she failed to understand the lesson.
The abuse continued the next day when he again tried to teach her vowels and writing.
The Court heard that Chimutso became frustrated, took a sjambok from behind a bed and assaulted the child several times all over her body.
A witness tried to intervene after noticing that the child was being severely assaulted.
However, Chimutso warned the witness not to interfere, claiming the matter involved only him and his niece, the NPAZ said.
Praise later suffered severe pain and breathing difficulties as her condition worsened during the night.
On January 21, Chimutso and the witness first took the child to a shrine before taking her to Zvishavane Hospital.
Medical staff pronounced her dead on admission.
Investigators later recovered the sjambok and wooden switches used in the assault.
The NPAZ condemned violence against children and warned that discipline should never turn into abuse.
It also urged members of the public to protect children from harm and report child abuse before it results in tragedy.
The case drew strong reactions on Facebook, with some users questioning the sentence and warning adults against using violence when teaching children.
“If one doesn’t have the patience to teach these young ones, it’s better to leave it all in the hands of the teachers,” Sharon Machina said.
Jamie Gee Cynie said the sentence did not match the gravity of the offence.
“Seven years isn’t enough,” she said.
Takunda Bara also criticised the sentence and called for the matter to be revisited.
“This sentence needs to be revisited,” Bara said.
The case has renewed concern over violent punishment in homes and the failure by some adults to protect children from abuse.
It also shows why relatives, neighbours and community members must act quickly when a child faces danger.
