Child abusers await fate

KABWE Magistrate Sibaleya Chikuba has reserved sentencing to tomorrow, in a matter where two females aged 18 and 22 years old are facing a charge of assault on a child. It is alleged that the two tied a 6-year-old boy to a tree and started beating him for failing to count numbers. When the matter came up for the statement of facts before Magistrate Chikuba, the two pleaded guilty to one count of assault on a child contrary to section 248(a) of the penal code chapter 87 as amended by Act No.15 2005 of the laws of Zambia. ZANIS reports that Bufwayo Fumbeshi aged 22 and Annie Kashala on the on 19 June, 2020, jointly and whilst acting together did assault a child namely Patrick Mubanga thereby, occasioning him actual bodily harm. Magistrate Chikuba found them guilty as charged. In mitigation, the two pleaded for the courts leniency because they were both in school and were first offenders. They also claimed to have learnt from their mistakes and promised to be ambassadors against violence towards children. Magistrate Chikuba reserved sentencing to Tuesday 30 June, to allow for a social welfare report to be presented before him because one of the accused is a juvenile. The two who were on police bond have since been remanded in custody until Tuesday. Last week, Alert neighbours rescued a 6-year-old boy from being burnt by his relatives for failing to read and count in numeric terms. The cries of the boy who was tied to a tree and a burning brazier placed under him caught the attention of the neighbours who rescued the boy from the hands of his abusers and alerted the police. The owner of the house only identified as Mrs Mulenga expressed shock at the action by her nieces whom she said were being looked after well. The Sun