Tendai Muererwa
Mutare-A 16 year old Form Three learner at St Werburgh’s High School in Chigodora is recovering at home after she was allegedly assaulted by the mother of a fellow learner in an incident that has left her unable to write her mid-term examinations.
The alleged assault occurred on Monday as the teenager was walking home from school. The woman, identified as Plaxedes Muchena of Chigodora, allegedly confronted the learner, accusing her of assaulting her daughter, who is a primary school pupil.
According to the learner’s father, Blessing Chifamba, the attack left his daughter with serious injuries that required referral to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for specialist treatment.
“My daughter was attacked while on her way home from school. The woman accused her of beating her child. She sustained serious injuries and had to be referred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital. She is now recovering at home,” he said. Chifamba said the injuries have significantly affected his daughter’s daily life.
“She is using walking sticks to move around and cannot do simple tasks on her own. She even needs assistance to eat. She also failed to sit for her mid-term examinations because of her condition,” he said. Muchena acknowledged confronting the teenager but claimed she was reacting after her own daughter returned home alleging she had been assaulted by a group of secondary school girls.
“My child came home with visible assault marks and told me she had been beaten by secondary school girls. I followed up the matter, but the girl became aggressive and wanted to attack me. I slapped her on the hands and she fell down. The matter is now before the courts,” she said.
The accused is expected to appear before the Mutare Magistrates Courts on Tuesday to answer to the assault allegations. Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the case and said police had arrested the suspect.
“We confirm the arrest of a woman in connection with an assault case involving a 16-year-old learner from St Werburgh’s High School. Investigations are underway, and the suspect is expected to appear in court. We continue to urge members of the public to seek peaceful and lawful ways of resolving disputes instead of resorting to violence, which can result in serious injuries and criminal charges,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
