CRUEL AUNT JAILED

By CHARLES MUSONDA A LUSAKA woman has been sentenced to five years simple imprisonment for repeatedly assaulting her husband’s nephew aged eight. In this case, Thandi Ufwenuka, a 45-year-old business lady of Garden Chilulu, was jointly charged with her husband Mulonda Khumalo, 35, for assault on a child contrary to Section 248A of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of offence were that on unknown dates but between March 1 and May 31, 2020 the two jointly and whilst acting together assaulted Kebby Kooma, a child. Passing judgment yesterday, Lusaka Magistrate Alice Walusiku found Ufwenuka guilty and convicted her accordingly but acquitted Khumalo because the State had not proved the case against him. Ms. Walusiku told Ufwenuka that if she could not manage to keep the child she could have taken him back to his parents who were able to understand the boy. She said she personally saw scars on the child’s body including on the back and ears and that he could not have inflicted the injuries on himself. Ms. Walusiku said she would be failing in her duty if she did not give Ufwenuka adequate punishment for her deeds. She said the offence the convict committed carries a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and that unfortunately the court cannot alter it. During trial the court heard that Khumalo had requested his Mansa based brother to send him the child to live with in Lusaka. Khumalo’s brother did not have transport money to send the boy to Lusaka after which he (Khumalo) sent him the money. When the boy reached Lusaka the only problem he had was that of ring worms after which Ufwenuka started mistreating the minor by repeatedly whipping him and denying him access to the toilet. The boy was only rescued by a concerned neighbour who reported the matter to police after noticing that Ufwenuka was repeatedly assaulting the child. After the sentence, Ufwenuka did not appear remorseful and maintained a frown on her face before she was taken to Lusaka Central correctional facility..