Woman burns niece with a red-hot knife over gossip

A 10-YEAR-OLD girl had her lips burnt with a red-hot knife by her aunt as punishment for revealing her gossip, a court heard.

Christine Ncube (34), of Nil township in Zvishavane, was last Wednesday sentenced to 12 months in prison for ill-treating a child when she appeared before resident magistrate Mr Story Rushambwa.

Ncube was charged under the Children Act (Chapter 5:06), ill-treating a child. She will, however, serve an effective six months after six months of her sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Appearing for the State, Mr Stanley Ncube, told the court that on 7 November the accused approached her niece and accused her of telling their neighbour that she was being accused of having an affair with a rich boyfriend.

This was after the minor had heard her aunt (the accused) gossiping about their neighbour.

The girl then approached the neighbour and advised her that her aunt was gossiping with other women saying she was having an extra marital affair with a rich boyfriend.

The accused beat the girl with open hands and only stopped doing so when a neighbour advised her not to assault the minor in such a manner.

She then took a knife and placed it on the stove. When it was red hot she burnt her niece's mouth, causing her to sustain burns on her lips.

The child was medically examined and a report was compiled.

The accused, however, told the court during cross examination that her action was her way of correcting her niece after pleading guilty to the charge.