News / National
Couple arrested for withdrawing children from school
07 Nov 2014 at 19:47hrs | Views
A couple belonging to the Vapostori Sect appeared in court on Wednesday after allegedly withdrawing their two children from school, claiming the country's education system was not in sync with their apostolic sect beliefs.
Clifford Sharamba (46) and his wife Grace (35) appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Lazarus Murendo on charges of contravening section 7(1) of the Children's Act Chapter 5.06 (ill-treatment or neglect of children or young persons).
The couple was remanded in custody to November 14 for trial.
Prosecutor Zuvarashe Mushayabasa told the court that in May 2013, the suspects withdrew their two daughters aged 13 (Form One) and seven years (Grade 2) from school on religious grounds.
The court heard that Clifford's brother, Stancilous Sharamba, and his father-in-law later took the children into their custody and resumed sending them to school.
On October 25 this year, Grace allegedly went to collect the children from Stancilous' house saying she wanted to spend the weekend with them and promised to bring them back later that same day.
Three days later, Grace allegedly claimed that her husband had taken the children away and she was not aware where he had hidden them.
This prompted the couple's relatives to report the matter to the police, leading to the pair's arrest.
Source - newsday
