Woman beats stepson for stealing peanut butter

peaneu butter

A 12-year-old boy sustained swellings on his back and legs after his stepmother whipped him several times accusing him of stealing peanut butter, a Bulawayo magistrate heard yesterday.

Ms Sibongile Msipa was told this at the initial appearance of Nody Ncube, who is now facing charges of contravening Section 3 (1) (a) of the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 5:16 (physical abuse).

Ncube (27), of P16 Mzilikazi was not formally charged and was remanded in custody to 22 January. Prosecuting, Mr Trust Muduma said on Wednesday at about 11.30 pm, Ncube and her stepson were together in the house when they had a misunderstanding.

Ncube was allegedly accusing him of stealing peanut butter and allegedly assaulted him with a whip all over the body.

Appearing before the same magistrate, a man from Makokoba suburb was remanded in custody to the same date on allegations of assaulting his young brother over sour milk he had been sent to buy.

Raphael Taranhike (30), of No 335, 9th Street, Makokoba, was not formally charged with physical abuse. The court heard that on New Year’s Day, at about 10.30 pm, the complainant aged 12 was sent to the shops to buy sour milk by his sister.

When he came back he found his brother Raphael at home and he took the sour milk and ate isitshwala. While eating he allegedly spit in the younger brother's face asking him why he had bought Lacto instead of Inkomasi.

He allegedly assaulted the boy with a belt several times all over the body and clapped him thrice. The boy did not sustain visible injuries but had some pain in the back and on the cheeks.