House helper hit with second cruel punishment charge
A 31-year-old maid accused of brutally assaulting a one-year-old child left in her care has been hit with a second count of cruel punishment.
Appearing before Broadhurst Magistrates Court earlier today (Tuesday 17 February), Boitumelo Nchimako was informed the charge sheet against her has been amended.
In a story that made nationwide news, the hired helper was initially detained on 29 January, after allegedly kicking and repeatedly hitting the toddler with her fists all over his body, leaving him with bruises and injuries.
Nchimako, who has since admitted her guilt to this original charge, is now accused of causing the child to collapse, having sustained abrasions all over his body, as a result of her cruel punishment in an incident said to have occurred around December.
The suspect, who was employed in Oodi but is originally from Francistown, pleaded not guilty to the additional accusation.
She was once again remanded in custody after the State opposed bail, calling the Investigating Officer, Dario Rebagamang of the Broadhurst Child Protection Unit, to testify.
In his evidence, Constable Rebagamang described the matter as a serious crime and argued that releasing the accused would not be in the best interests of any child.
He told court Nchimako has no permanent residence in Gaborone and does not have a cellphone, raising concerns she could abscond.
He further submitted that the case has attracted significant public outrage, and keeping the accused in custody would not only safeguard the investigation’s integrity but also ensure her own protection.
When given an opportunity to address the court, Nchimako pleaded for leniency, stating that she has children of her own who depend on her.
The court reserved its ruling on the bail application to 9 March, with the accused remaining locked up until then.
