Man burns son's fingers on stove for failing to read

A Harare man has been jailed for an effective four months stint after burning his four year old son's fingers as punishment for failing to read the one to ten number line.

Tichaona Mujuru (27) of Warren Park D appeared before Harare Magistrate Audrey Tarugarira facing charges of domestic violence. He came clean and admitted to the charge and was slapped with a 10 month jail term. Six months were suspended on condition of good behaviour in the next five years. The remaining four months shall be effective.

 On 7 September, Mujuru returned from work at around 7pm and began teaching the minor how to read. While teaching the four-year-old boy, he failed to read the number line which had the numbers one to ten.

In anger, Mujuru took the hapless child's hands and placed them on a red hot stove resulting in the infant sustaining serious burns.

The young boy was then taken to hospital and a report was made to the police, leading to the ruthless father's arrest.

State counsel Leonorrah Chitanda slammed Mujuru's actions, describing them as an act of cruelty. She said Mujuru as the father was expected to protect the child not to harm him. She added that cases of child abuse were on the increase and called for a stiffer penalty saying a fine would trivialise the matter.