Man Jailed 12 Months for Beating Stepdaughter

A 32-year-old Harare man has been jailed for 12 months for beating up his stepdaughter with a plank.

Nyasha Mutema was facing charges of ill-treatment or neglect of children and young persons when he appeared before magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe on Friday.

Mutema accused the girl of "looking sad". Mr Mahwe initially sentenced Mutema to two years in jail before suspending 12 months on condition of good behaviour.

Man Jailed 12 Months for Beating Stepdaughter

In passing the sentence, Mr Mahwe told Mutema that there was no good reason why he assaulted the child. He said cases of child abuse were on the rise and a deterrent sentence was necessary.