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Children report policeman father over negligence

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A 16-YEAR-OLD Form 3 girl and her younger sister have taken their policeman father to court for negligence

A 16-YEAR-OLD Form 3 girl and her younger sister have taken their policeman father to court for negligence, accusing him of allegedly failing to buy them food and catering for their educational needs.

STEPHEN CHADENGA OWN CORRESPONDENT

The girls, who are both resident at the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Senga Camp, reported their father, an assistant inspector based at Gweru Transtech, to Childline, accusing him of not buying them food and uniforms as well as not paying their school fees.

The girls’ father appeared before Gweru magistrate Mildred Matuvi yesterday to answer to charges of contravening the Children’s Act.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges, alleging that his daughters were coerced by their uncles [his in-laws] to make false allegations against him.

The man accused his older daughter of lying, alleging that she was mischievous at school and would at times hide his bank card, her school report, blazer and uniforms.

It is the State’s case that on December 12 2013 at around 8am, the complainant and her younger sister went to Childline and reported their father for not buying food, school uniforms and paying fees for them.

The older girl also alleged that she was left in charge of her younger sibling, while her father was attending a course in Bulawayo and her stepmother was in Zhombe where she teaches.

The girl said she had to beg for food from a neighbour while her father was away.

She then made a report at the police camp resulting in the arrest of the father.

The trial continues today.