Gweru teacher in trouble for assaulting pupil
By Dumisani Ndlovu
A teacher at Budiriro Primary School in Mkoba, Gweru, appeared before Gweru magistrate court on Thursday to answer ill-treatment of children charge after reportedly assaulted a 12-year-old pupil using open hands and a stick.
Ngoni Matendere (54), was convicted on his own pleaded of guilty to assaulting a grade 7 school prefect on the 24th of March 2024 after a full trial. The accused was referred to a medical doctor for examination after mentioned that he is a certified mental patient when given an chance to present his mitigation conditions.
Gweru magistrate Beaulity Dube remanded Matendere in custody and ordered him to return to court on the 11th April 2024.
“On your mitigation you mentioned that you are a mentally ill person under treatment, it means because of your condition you hit the child indiscriminately with open hands and a stick and you had no full control of yourself. Am I right “asked magistrate Dube.
“Correct your worship,” said Matendere with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
“Then how do you want parents to trust you with their children? Anyway, as a court if we receive such a case, the state has an obligation to refer you to undergo a mental stagnation examination. This should be done by a government doctor. For you to be examined by a government doctor you must be at a government institution, hence I send you to Hwahwa prison for two week pending medical examination, you come back on the 11th of April. By such a time, you will have been examined and the state will know how to proceed with your case,” said Magistrate Dube.
The accused’s efforts to convince the court not to send him to Hwahwa prison, but rather let him be examined while out of custody hit the brick wall as the magistrate remained adamant to her judgement.
“Your worship like what I have alluded to, I am a certified mentally challenged person, who is taking medication, I am supposed to take my tablets. I left them at home, sending me to prison will disturb my tablets taking routine,” said Matendere who has been in the teaching profession for 24 years.
“No problem, your wife can bring you your medication. See you on the 11th of April,” said magistrate Dube.
The complainant was medically examined and the Public Prosecutor, Christine Shonhiwa tendered the pupil’s medical affidavit.
“The document tendered to this honourable court comes from Doctor S.R Sithole which serves as evidence that on 4 March 2024 you assaulted the child using a stick and open hands with the intention to cause pain and bodily harm. The complainant sustained swollen left cheek and ear as indicated in this doctor’s document. You acted unlawful,” read the court interpreter Malungelo Maduma.
Agreed facts are that on the mentioned date, in the morning, the school siren rang, indicating that it was assembly time. Some pupils rushed to assembly as required. It is alleged the complainant delayed going to assembly point despite repeatedly advised by the accused. This did not go down well with the Matendere who resorted to recklessly assaulting the child.
‘’I indeed assaulted the child, because he had acted rudely and disobeyed my command. I told him twice to go rush to the assembly, but he became rude. This really disturbed me and I was left with no option but to disciplining him,” said the Budiriro school teacher.
