Shadreck, 11 and Amon, 13, were barred from going school by their 54-year-old father.
The two are being kept by their mother since 2020 when Madzibaba Ishmael and his first wife, Tendai Mukombe, ended their marriage over his polygamous beliefs.
Mukombe told sources that Shadreck and Amon want to enrol for Grade One since they can’t read and write.
“I was against Madzibaba Ishmael’s doctrine of barring children from being educated,” said Tendai.
“My two children want to go to school, like any other children of their age.
“Ndakagara navo pasi ndikati mungade here kuenda kuchikoro kunotangira Grade One imimakura?
“Vakati tinoda.
“They do not care about what other pupils would say concerning their age.
“I encouraged them, gave them hope and taught them the importance of education.”
She added: “Madzibaba Ishmael went to school but his first born, Lissard, was stopped from attending school when she was in Form 2 and got married.
“Miriam went up to Grade 7 and got married.
“Abedinico went to Grade 1 only and the rest never went to school.
“If I get money, Shadreck and Amon will go to school.
“They are intelligent but their knowledge, future and hopes have been destroyed by Madzibaba Ishmael.
“I am always under monitoring from people who are paid to closely monitor how I live with my children.”
Shadreck and Amon continue to be mocked by their friends for not being literate.
Madzibaba Ishmael’s lieutenant and father in-law, James Gwenzi, reiterated that their church doctrine does not allow their children to attend school.
Madzibaba James is reported to have given one of his young daughters to Madzibaba Ishmael to marry.
Madzibaba James was arrested along with Madzibaba Ishmael and others at Lily Farm in Nyabira.
H-Metro
