Step mother cuts four-year-old step-son's tongue with a razor blade

A 25-year-old woman from Budiriro has appeared in court accused of cutting her step-son's tongue with a razor blade. Tendai Rwodzi, who allegedly cut the four-year-old boy's tongue, appeared before Harare magistrate Barbra Masinire facing allegations of ill-treating a child.

She vehemently denied the allegations and the matter proceeded to trial. It is the State's case that during the period of October and November 2011 the toddle was staying with Rwodzi his step mother and his father. During the period, the court heard that Rwodzi called a certain girl to her house and instructed her to hold the boy tight. She allegedly instructed the boy to open wide his mouth and the girl held the tongue.

Rwodzi allegedly took a razor blade and cut the boy's tongue and he sustained an injury. The boy reportedly cried for help prompting Rwodzi to release him. The court heard that when the boy returned to his biological mother, she discovered that the boy had been injured on the tongue. She reportedly questioned him and he narrated his ordeal and a report was made to the police.

Before the court, Rwodzi suspected foul play saying the boy's mother had framed her as she had been denied maintenance money. She also denied staying with the toddler. However the toddler told the court that Rwodzi had cut his tongue and told him to say that he had fallen on a rock in the event that he was asked.

The matter was remanded to 25 January for judgment and Rwodzi is out of custody. Prosecutor Emmanuel Chivasa is appearing for the state.