Woman in court for assaulting daughter (12), failing to prepare supper on time

A Beitbridge woman (31) has been sentenced to perform 210 hours of community service for severely assaulting her 12-year-old stepdaughter for failing to prepare supper on time.

Ratanang Bakhele who resides in headman Siyoga's area was convicted on her own plea of guilty to charges of assault when she appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate Miss Gloria Takundwa recently.

Bakhele will serve her sentence at Msane Primary School after the magistrate conditionally suspended four months of her 10 months sentence for five years.
The remaining six months were suspended on condition she performs 210 hours of community service.

Prosecutor Miss Samukheliso Sibanda said on June 8, Bakhele went to visit some friends in the village leaving the girl alone at home.
She returned in the evening and found the girl still preparing supper.

Bakhele dragged the juvenile to her bedroom where she locked the door and used a metal bucket handle to beat her.

The girl was seriously injured and her sister reported the matter to their aunt.
The juvenile was then taken to hospital where she was then advised to report the matter to police leading to Bakhele's arrest.