A 30-year-old woman from the Chief Zimunya area of Mutare appeared before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court, facing charges under the Children’s Protection and Adoption Act.
The court heard that on October 11, 2024, the accused was at her employer’s homestead with her 11-month-old baby.
She allegedly laid the child on the floor face down and assaulted her with a stick multiple times, instructing her to crawl.
The woman recorded the assault and sent the video to the child’s father. The incident came to light when the video went viral on social media, prompting police intervention.
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The accused pleaded guilty and, during mitigation, claimed to suffer from an undisclosed mental disorder.
She was remanded in custody until October 30, 2024, pending examinations by two doctors in accordance with the Mental Health Act.
Meanwhile, former Chivi South MP Killer Zivhu (ZANU PF) suggested that the woman’s actions may have been driven by poverty and frustration.
In a post on X, he stated that she “needs counselling, not prison,” and pledged to provide her with US$2,500 to help kickstart an income-generating project.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A woman in Mutare hurt a baby and recorded it. She pleaded insanity, saying she has a mental problem. People saw the video online and called the police. They will check if she is really sick. A politician wants to help her with money. She might not go to jail.

Mutare Woman Who Assaulted Toddler In Viral Video Pleads Insanity

In a landmark ruling, two High Court judges have affirmed the right of mentally ill persons to engage in consensual sexual relationships and that they should not be unduly restricted from exploring their sexuality.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200030673/mentally-ill-people-also-enjoy-sex-judges-say-as-convicted-rapist-released">NewsDay</a>, the case involved Mtindi Zidyengi, a man who had been convicted by a magistrate’s court for raping a 33-year-old woman with mental illness.
However, upon review, Justices Nyaradzo Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa and Siyabona Musithu overturned the conviction.
The judges said that while the law aims to protect the mentally ill, it is important not to dismiss their sexuality without sufficient medical evidence.
They argued that mentally ill people “also enjoy sex in their own right and should not be restricted from enjoying sex or entering into a relationship with a person of the other sex.”
The judges stated that it cannot be automatically assumed that mentally ill individuals lack the competence to consent and appreciate the nature of sexual acts.
They cautioned that “great care should be exercised not to dismiss their sexuality without adequate medical evidence.” Said Justice Munangati-Manongwa:
<blockquote>
The notion that persons with mental conditions cannot enjoy sex in their own right needs to be dispelled where there is no evidence that they are mentally incompetent to consent and appreciate the nature of the act.
</blockquote>
She said the alleged victim was a good example of how a certain degree of protectionism can restrict the enjoyment of life by the mentally ill.
Zidyengi had been charged with contravening section 65 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act by engaging in a sexual act “with a mentally incompetent adult person”.
Zidyengi had a relationship with a woman who was on medication for the condition.
The court heard that in one instance, the woman’s mother saw them having sexual intercourse, but did not report the matter.
It was also revealed that the mother reportedly witnessed another sexual encounter and got concerned, but did nothing.
The court heard that the woman started refusing her medication, indicating that she was pregnant and did not want to endanger the child.
She reportedly reported her mother to the police for forcing her to take medication.
The mother was summoned and she revealed the sexual encounters, leading to Zidyengi’s arrest and conviction for taking advantage of the woman.
Justice Munangati-Manongwa, however, said she raised the issue with the trial magistrate by enquiring if the conviction was proper in the absence of expert evidence that the complainant was incapable of consenting.
The judge said the doctor’s report stated that the woman has a history of hallucinating, but was well-oriented, had average abstract thinking, and good judgement while her intelligence was rated as good with the conclusion that the complainant could follow court proceedings
Justice Munangati-Manongwa also considered evidence showing that the woman had lucid moments, refused to take tablets, and reported her mother to the police.
The State outline indicated that she was consenting to the act and was Zidyengi’s girlfriend. Said the judge:
<blockquote>
She could understand court proceedings and she was or is of average intelligence and her judgment and intelligence were rated as good.
These comments by themselves pointed to an individual who was not always incapacitated by her condition but had lucid moments, is of average intelligence and her judgment rated as good.
</blockquote>
Justice Munangati-Manongwa said the Constitution of Zimbabwe also provided that every person had inherent dignity in their private and public life and the right to have that dignity respected. She said:
<blockquote>
Hence those who suffer from mental challenges should enjoy that right during their lucid moments as the complainant in casu [in this case].
… the unwarranted restriction to the enjoyment of sex, entering into a relationship with a person of the other sex may border on infringement of rights of the mentally challenged persons given their right not to be discriminated upon on the basis of disability.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

In a big court decision, it was ruled that mentally ill people have the right to have consensual sexual relationships. The judges said it's important not to stop them from exploring their sexuality unless there is good medical evidence to do so. The case involved a man named Mtindi Zidyengi, who was convicted of raping a woman with a mental illness. However, the conviction was overturned because the woman was found to have the ability to understand and consent to the sexual acts. The judges argued that mentally ill people have the right to enjoy sex and relationships like everyone else.

High Court Upholds Right Of Mentally Ill To Consensual Sexual Relationships

At least 90 per cent of Ingutsheni Central Hospital patients suffer from drug and substance abuse-induced mental conditions, it has emerged.
Speaking during a drug and substance abuse campaign held in Bulawayo on Saturday, Ingutsheni Hospital representative Davison Samanyanga said the majority of the patients are victims of alcohol, drug and substance abuse. He said (via <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200028152/drug-abusers-congest-ingutsheni-hospital">Southern Eye</a>):
<blockquote>
If you look at our admitting ward, you will see that there are almost 100 to 150 persons who are staying there and 90% of those are drug-related cases, hence this shows the magnitude of the problem of drug and substance abuse.
The treatment of those affected, of those addicted to drugs and substances is not an easy journey.
In the treatment of drug and substance abuse, there are so many players who take part. We have psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists and doctors. As I have mentioned, it is not an easy journey.
</blockquote>
Samanyanga urged youths to shun drugs and other illegal intoxicating substances which lead to addiction and mental illnesses. He said:
<blockquote>
For rehabilitation, we are saying people deserve a chance. After being seen by all those professionals, they really need a chance.
They need to be equipped and imparted with the correct skills so that when they come back to the community, they know how to live, and how to conquer those challenges which they might have faced, which might have led them to drugs.
For the youth out there, don’t throw away your life for the sake of a few hours of fun.
</blockquote>
Commonly abused drugs in Zimbabwe include alcohol, cannabis (mbanje/marijuana), crystal meth (mutoriro), heroin, and glue.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Drug Abusers Congest Mental Health Institutions In Zimbabwe

An 86-year-old Rusape man was sentenced to six years in jail after he was caught red-handed as he was sexually abusing a mentally challenged woman aged 22.
The suspect, Katesi Mamvura of Nzvimbe Village, was convicted by Rusape regional magistrate, Francis Mapfumo, after pleading not guilty to the offence.
Mamvura denied the charges saying he was caught just before the act but was convicted after a full trial.
He will, however, serve an effective three year-jail term after three years were set aside on condition of good behaviour.
Prosecutor, Marlon Makamba, told the court that the senior citizen took advantage of the absence of the complainant’s mother to abuse her. He said:
<blockquote>
The complainant is mentally challenged. On April 17, the complainant was left at home, together with her sister while their mother travelled to Harare for the Easter church service.
Mamvura went to the complainant’s homestead and found her alone. He escorted her to a nearby bush where he raped her. While Mamvura was busy abusing the complainant, her sister arrived at the scene.
Mamvura left in a huff and left the two sisters at the scene.
A police report was made, leading to Mamvura’s arrest.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/grandpa-86-jailed-for-rape/">The Manica Post</a>

Man (86) Jailed For Raping Mentally-challenged Woman

Drug and alcohol abuse among National Prosecution Authority (NPA) workers is so rampant that some are losing their minds.
This was revealed in the NPA strategic plan review 2022 governance and administration report from January to October prepared by the acting secretary Tafadzwa Mupariwa. He said:
<blockquote>
There is a surge in drug and alcohol abuse in the National Prosecution Authority as some prosecutors and support staff are losing their minds. Some are blaming it on other factors such as evil spirits.
</blockquote>
Mupariwa urged heads of stations and supervisors to report at the earliest possible time any suspected cases of drug and alcohol abuse so that remedial action can be taken. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/npa-frets-over-drug-alcohol-abuse-in-its-ranks/">Chronicle</a>

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