A harrowing case of prolonged child abuse has come to light in St Mary’s suburb, where a teenage boy was locked away and starved for three years by (Couple) ,his father and stepmother. The 16-year-old victim, Tinotenda Purumero, endured unspeakable suffering while imprisoned in a filthy room with no food, medical care, or basic human dignity.
The shocking details emerged in court this week, where Herbert Purumero (45), Tinotenda’s biological father, and Memory Kamuchato (40), his stepmother, were sentenced to prison for their inhumane treatment of the boy. The abuse occurred at the couple’s residence, house number 907 in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza.
According to court documents, Tinotenda was locked in a room from the age of 13 until his rescue this year. With no proper meals or hygiene provisions, he became so desperately hungry that he was forced to eat whatever he could find in the room — including his own human waste. The extent of his physical and emotional suffering was evident in his emaciated appearance, bruises, and overall poor health.
The room in which Tinotenda was confined was described as filthy, with no freedom of movement or access to daylight. Prosecutor Shamiso Charmaine Mwapangira told the court that the boy’s health deteriorated significantly during his confinement, yet the couple repeatedly denied him access to medical treatment. Instead, he was left to suffer in silence while under the occasional supervision of his 23-year-old sister, Paidamoyo Purumero, who was described as a slow learner and unequipped to care for him.
Teen Locked in Room for Three Years by couple St Mary’s Abuse Horror
The two appeared before Magistrate Dennis Mangosi, who sentenced the couple to 24 months in prison each. However, four months of each sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving the couple to serve an effective 20-month jail term. The leniency of the sentence has sparked debate and outrage among some observers who believe the punishment does not match the gravity of the abuse.
Tinotenda is now receiving treatment at a local hospital, where medical staff are working to stabilize his condition. Efforts are underway to place him in a children’s care home, but social workers have reportedly struggled to find a facility willing or able to accommodate him, given the extent of his physical and psychological trauma.
Neighbours expressed shock and disbelief over the revelations, with many stating they were unaware that such severe abuse was taking place behind closed doors. “We had no idea things were this bad,” said one resident. “After he was briefly released from the hospital, he was left alone at the house and had to be readmitted. It’s heartbreaking.”
Community members said the case has prompted serious reflection on the lack of awareness and accountability within neighbourhoods, and some are now calling for stronger mechanisms to report and investigate suspected child abuse.
The case bears disturbing similarities to other incidents of prolonged abuse in the Chitungwiza area. In 2021, H-Metro reported the case of Gogo Plaxedes Mashasha, who had kept her son Grant Mashasha locked in their home’s ceiling for 14 years. When he was discovered, Grant exhibited extreme signs of neglect, including long, curled nails, extremely pale skin, and limited ability to communicate. That case was discovered after authorities found Gogo Mashasha living with the decomposing body of her late husband for several days.
In another case, a young woman named Talent Gent was imprisoned for three years by her grandmother, Gogo Mushore, reportedly to protect her from a man in the community who had made unwanted advances. That incident, too, raised public concern about how such abuse could remain hidden in plain sight.
These recurring tragedies have reignited calls for stronger child protection systems and greater public vigilance. Child welfare advocates argue that more needs to be done to empower community members to report suspicions without fear, and for authorities to respond swiftly and decisively.
“There are too many children suffering in silence, hidden behind closed doors,” said one social worker. “We need stronger laws, better enforcement, and an active community to stop these horrors before it’s too late.”
Tinotenda’s case serves as yet another chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked abuse—and the urgent need for a nationwide commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children from cruelty, neglect, and isolation.
Source-Bulawayo24
