Tinotenda Hove- A 43-year-old Mberengwa woman has been sentenced to an effective eight years in prison after a traditional procedure meant to help a toddler speak turned fatal.

Chipiwa Majasi from Village 3, Kugutakurima under Chief Mposi was convicted of culpable homicide by the High Court sitting in Gweru.

The court sentenced her to 10 years imprisonment, with two years suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecutors told the court that on March 5, Majasi had been called to a home at Runyararo Complex in Vanguard, Mberengwa to treat a young girl, Ruvarashe Mafikeni, who was struggling with speech.

It was alleged that Majasi used a razor blade to cut the membrane under the child’s tongue and then left.

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

She was rushed to Mberengwa District Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The case was reported to police leading to Majasi’s arrest.