Father burns 4-year-old son for ‘stealing’ maize cobs

By Arron Nyamayaro

A four year old boy was severely burnt and found tied onto a tree as punishment by his father for allegedly stealing green maize cobs from a neighbour.

Takudzwa Mutero called for help from a passerby, Chihwai Murehwa, after his father Wilson Mutero, 26, burnt him and tied him to a tree in the middle of a maize field.

Takudzwa, who sustained burns on his left hand, head, right leg and scars on his back and buttocks, was on Saturday rushed to Monera Clinic and later transferred to Harare Central hospital.

Wilson, a former kombi conductor in Mufakose, was saved by police officers from further beatings by villagers who teamed up against him.

He was arrested and was detained at Nyamweda police base as of Saturday while Mashonaland West police spokesperson, Inspector Clement Mabweazara could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.

Wilson’s sister Nomatter Mutero told H Metro that her brother war left in the custody of the two kids after his wife left him over infidelity issues.

“I am really shocked by such kind of cruelty shown by my brother.

“Mweya wakaipa chaiwo wakamupinda,” said Nomatter.

“His wife packed her bags and left leaving two kids after it emerged that she was cheating with our cousin and two other villagers in Mhondoro-Ngezi where we live.

“Wilson left with Takudzwa and the other child is in my custody and I had not been aware that he had related to Nyamweda when his wife left.

“Akatopedzera shungu dzekusiiwa nemukadzi pamwana wake nekuti mwana haangaurairwe kudai nekuda kwekuba shuga nechibage.

“I am taking Takudzwa to Harare hospital where he has been transferred because the burns are so serious and Wilson is now in police custody,” said Nomatter.

One of the villagers told H Metro that Wilson never told anyone about his actions and had been looking for traditional medicine to cure wounds on his dog.

“Takudzwa is so intelligent and talkative but for the past six days we were not seeing him and it turns out he was on punishment,” said one of the villagers.

“Wilson approached me asking if I knew any traditional medicines to cure dog wounds when in fact he wanted to treat his son.

“Villagers were angered after learning that he war testing his son like a dog.

“Police might have to find better ways of safeguarding him upon leaving the base because villagers are still baying for his blood because his cruelty is unheard of, ” said the villager.