An Epworth step-father has been jailed for one year for malicious punishment of a child after authorities say he forced the toddler to strip naked and hanged her on a plank.
Twenty-one-year-old Cecil Matare, 20, was jailed on Monday by Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe on two counts of ill-treatment of a child.
He had been remanded in custody because he co-habits with the toddler’s mother.
Prosecutor Fransisca Mukumbiri alleged that on March 16, the complainant and her mother were at home when Matare reached for a cooking stick and struck the minor on the left arm.
The court heard that the minor sustained a swollen arm after the assault.
It was further alleged that around 9pm the same day, Matare returned home and found the toddler awake.
He got furious because the minor did not greet him.
The court heard that the toddler’s mother advised her daughter to greet Matare and she complied.
Matare went on to undress the little girl and tied her legs using his belt.
He then hanged her on a plank with her face facing downwards and threatened his wife against releasing her.
Matare went to bed and left the minor hanging there until 11pm when a neighbour came to the toddler’s rescue.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to Matare’s arrest.-DailyNews