Woman (26) locked up for child abuse

A HARARE woman was yesterday remanded in custody after she failed to supply the court with a permanent address she would use while awaiting trial. The woman is accused of ill-treating her two stepchildren aged three and five.
Stella Kapuya (26) of House number 600 Granary, Snake Park, allegedly abused the minors while the mother was in South Africa.
Mbare magistrate, Ms Victoria Mashamba, remanded her to August 16.
Arguing for the State, Mr Tendai Shonhayi says Kapuya used to assault the children after they soiled blankets.
She would at times chase them away during the night to sleep outside.
It is further alleged that the accused did not assist in seeking medication for the other child who was burnt on the leg and she denied them food and water to bath.
The medical report proved that the children sustained severe injuries due to assault.
Kapuya pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting one of the children.
The accused's husband, however, cried in court saying his wife was going to starve in jail.
The complainant's mother is said to have left the children last year and the matter only came to light this year after a local HIV organisation got the news while conducting awareness programmes in the area.
Durryn Mupozori (22) who works for Networking and Support for HIV and Aids Trust will represent the children during the trail.