A ZIMUNYA man who smashed his five-month-old baby to death on a rock, claiming he was heeding a spiritual voice has escaped a lengthy jail term after it was established that he was mentally sick.
A medical report presented before the court showed that Norest Seven, 27, was suffering from a mental illness when he committed the grisly crime.
The report, compiled by Dr Cloudy Mapepa, states that Seven requires care and treatment in a controlled institution in terms of the Mental Health Act 1976.
The magistrate, Sekai Chiwundura, ruled that Seven should be transferred to Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit where he will receive treatment.
“A voice instructed me to smash the baby on the ground twice. The voice spoke to me again and I followed instructions,” Seven told the court.
Prosecutor Cuthbert Bhosha told the court that on May 29, Seven left home in search of menial jobs. He came back at around 3pm and saw his wife, Clara Matongera, 28, breastfeeding their baby.
“Matongera later followed and demanded the baby back but before she caught up with Seven, (the suspect) smashed the baby on a hard rock twice,” Bhosha said.