Woman Sentenced To Eight Years Over Child’s Death During Traditional Procedure

Chipiwa Majasi, 43, from Village 3, Kugutakurima under Chief Mposi, has been sentenced to an effective eight years in prison after being convicted of culpable homicide following the death of a child during a traditional procedure.

Majasi was sentenced by the High Court sitting in Gweru, which handed her a 10-year prison term. Two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving her with eight years to serve.

The court heard that on March 5, the child, Ruvarashe Mafikeni, was at Runyararo Complex in Vanguard, Mberengwa, when her mother invited Majasi to the family home.

Majasi had reportedly been asked to perform a traditional procedure intended to address the child’s speech problem.

According to the court proceedings, Majasi used a razor blade to cut the lower membrane of the child’s tongue before leaving the home.

The child later fell asleep and was subsequently discovered unresponsive at around 2pm.

She was rushed to Mberengwa District Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced her dead.

The incident was reported to the police, leading to Majasi’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

The court ultimately convicted her of culpable homicide and imposed the 10-year sentence, with two years suspended on condition of good behaviour.