By A Correspondent- A woman from Pumula South suburb has been arrested for flogging her step-daughter with a stick after she accused her of converting money from the sale of firewood to her personal use.

What stoked the fire is that when Nomcebo Sibanda (29) got home at around 5pm this week on Wednesday she found her 15-year-old step-daughter lighting a fire with the firewood that she sells at home.

After that she unleashed a verbal attack on her while accusing her of being untrustworthy and disrespectful.

She allegedly grabbed the minor and dragged her into her bedroom before locking the door.

“She took a stick and flogged her all over the body. She accused her of converting the money from the sale of firewood to her personal use. And she also accused the minor of disrespecting her,” she said.

The minor suffered bruises on the body and a swollen thigh.

The minor reported the matter at Pumula Police Station leading to the arrest of her stepmother.

Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident.

She bemoaned the rising cases of domestic violence.

“It is worrying to note that there is a notable rise in domestic violence cases. We would like to urge community members to live in harmony with each other and seek advice from third parties like pastors or police’s Victim Friendly Unit whenever they are faced with disputes than to take the law into their hands,” she said.

-bmetro