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George Maponga-Masvingo Bureau

A 42-YEAR-OLD woman from Chingwizi has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the attempted murder of her eight-year-old nephew last year.

The woman, who is the boy’s aunt, severely punished him by beating him with a plank that the injuries sustained required hospitalisation.

The aunt also made her nephew to eat his own waste and locked him in a goat pen overnight after he accidentally soiled his bedding.

The incident occurred on October 22 last year when the orphaned boy, living with the aunt following his mother’s death in 2022, soiled his blankets while sleeping.

In a fit of rage, the aunt struck him repeatedly with a plank, causing severe injuries.

During the trial, Chiredzi regional magistrate Ms Judith Zuyu heard the disturbing details of the abuse.

The State presented evidence that she not only assaulted the boy but also forced him to consume his own waste during the attack.

Afterwards, she confined him to a goat pen for the whole night.

The boy’s suffering came to light when a concerned neighbour alerted the police, leading to the woman’s arrest.

He was taken to Neshuro District Hospital, where medical examinations confirmed the serious nature of his injuries, with the possibility of long-term disability.

The Department of Social Welfare is now involved in the matter, working to ensure the boy’s safety and well-being as he recovers is their top priority.