By Dumisani Ndlovu
Detained Gweru abusive stepmother Beauty Dude (28), who was allegedly in the habit of mercilessly assaulting her nine-year-old step daughter was on 28 February 2024 denied bail by Gweru Magistrate Beaulity Dube.
In denying her bail, the magistrate said the State was still waiting for the probation officer’s report and other relevant papers which were not yet availed to the court, hence the magistrate said were left with no option except to remind her and her core accused, Theresa Bimbi (25) in custody once more to 14th March 2024 which they did not object.
“Because your papers are not yet in order, we remand you in custody to 14 March. Any objections?” said Magistrate Dube.
In her litigation, accused Dube however begged the magistrate to grant her bail which the magistrate opposed forthwith.
“Your worship I beg you to release me so that I go and take care of my sick child at the hospital,” said the accused Dube.
The magistrate Dube outrightly denied her bail citing further perpetration of violence to the children.
“You, see, you are now concerned about your own child, what about, the one you abused. You must care for both of them, there are all your children, they both need your love and care. I can’t just release you before we get a report from the probation officer so that we hear the condition and welfare of the children. There are also fears that you may commit similar offences while on bail,” said the Magistrate while remanding her in custody to March 14.
Dube and Bimbi all from Charlton Park who’s child abuse cases became the talk of the moment in Gweru attracted many people who stormed the courtroom and jostling to catch a glimpse of the two alleged heartless women.
They briefly appeared at Gweru magistrate court whose gallery was filled to capacity.
Both accused were jointly charges with child abuse cases. Dube was dragged to court for allegedly torching her three-year-old daughter’s private parts as punishment for bed-wetting, while her sister-in-law Beauty Dude (28), who was reportedly in the habit of cruelly assaulting her nine-year-old step daughter equally arraigned before, Magistrate Dube.
Bimbi and Dude are married to biological brothers.
According to state Papers which were however returned to investigating officers for rectification, during the month of January 2024, the three-year-old girl woke up with her blankets messed with urine. Bimbi was furious at the girl’s bed wetting, and armed herself with a glowing log and allegedly torched her on the stomach and private parts.
The girl reportedly sustained painful burns as a result of the assault. In the state outline, in the same month, Dude sent her step-daughter to the shops to buy bread, but refused because she was not feeling well.
Bimbi allegedly took the girl into her room and assaulted her all over the body. Dude is also said to have joined in the assault and hit her head against the wall.
The girl was said to have sustained a swollen left ear as a result of the assault.
On February 23, the three-year-old girl woke up with her blankets messed again, and the two women ordered her to take a bath.They allegedly tied the girl’s left leg with a rope while naked and hanged her on the durawall with her head down.
They allegedly left the little girl hanging and went away.
“While in agony crying with deep pain, the girl shouted for help and one Good Samaritan, Lloyd Msipa came to her rescue and a report was made to police, resulting in the arrest of the two.The two girls were taken away, and placed in the custody of the department of Social Welfare,” read the state outline.
