mbulelo smpofu
Raymond Jaravaza, raymondjaravaza@gmail.com
PANASHE Mpofu, a 37-year-old woman, grew up in an era when the adages “it takes a village to raise a child” and “spare the rod, spoil the child” were deeply ingrained in community values. These beliefs, which emphasise the collective responsibility of raising children, have guided her parenting approach. While she is prepared to abandon the former, she has vowed not to forsake the latter, despite being jailed for it.
After whipping a group of four teenagers, including her own son, who had skipped school to host a Vuzu party, Mpofu was arrested and jailed for assault early this year.
The incident occurred in New Luveve, where the teenagers, aged 15 and 16, had gathered to drink alcohol and watch explicit content. Upon learning of their misconduct, Mpofu took matters into her own hands, disciplining the group in front of other residents.
While Mpofu now regrets her actions, she remains steadfast in her belief that parents have a responsibility to discipline their children. Her experience highlights the tension between traditional parenting practices and modern legal frameworks, raising questions about the appropriate balance between parental authority and individual rights.
Mpofu was recently freed by Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa after a review of the case. She had been sentenced to two years by a magistrate for assault.
“I was so hurt when I saw the kids drunk that I didn’t stop to think but reached for a stick and disciplined all of them. Looking back, I regret beating up the other children, I should have just disciplined my own child,” Mpofu told the Saturday Chronicle.
She says she has learned her lesson that “it no longer takes a village to raise a child”.
“I grew up at a time when our parents believed that a child belongs to the whole community and even a neighbour could discipline a child for misbehaving.”
As a devout Christian, she is a firm believer in the teachings of the Bible that say “spare the rod, spoil the child” and will not stop disciplining her 15-year-old son when he misbehaves.
“I’m a single mother who wants the best for her son and I will not spare the rod when he misbehaves. As for other children, I will not even verbally warn them when I find them doing wrong things. I have learnt my lesson that some mothers think disciplining a child amounts to assault,” she said.
During her incarceration, she says she contemplated committing suicide as she could not come to terms with the fact that she would spend two years in prison.
“We (inmates) would go out to the gardens to do some work and I had made a decision that given the slightest chance I would commit suicide. I know suicide is not a good thing to talk or even think about but I felt like my life was over.”
The incarceration cost her a job as a general hand at a local company.
She thanked everyone who stood by her during one of the most difficult periods of her life.
“To everyone who stood by me, I cannot thank you enough. Your prayers and words of encouragement meant a lot to me.”
Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary, Vimbai Nyemba, explained how such cases end up at the High Court.
“If there is a dispute concerning a lower court’s judgment, a High Court judge revisits the papers for the case in question and they can issue a warrant of liberation or they can agree with the judgment.
“In the case in question, Justice Kabasa (Evangelista) issued a warrant of liberation,” said Nyemba.
Those who wish to assist can contact Mpofu on 0778226052.
