SuperSport United FC's Mahachi Denies Child Abuse Allegations
Lawyers for SuperSport United FC player Kudakwashe Mahachi have denied allegations of child abuse made by his ex-wife, Marita Ndlovu. Ndlovu claims that Mahachi and his new wife, Rose Mahachi, scalded their four-year-old son with boiling water and beat him in South Africa before allegedly smuggling him back to Zimbabwe.
Ndlovu said part of the boy's right foot had to be amputated at Bulawayo's Mpilo Central Hospital, where he is still being treated. She has insisted that she intends to travel to South Africa to open a case of attempted murder against Mahachi once the boy is healthy enough to accompany her.
A lawyer for Mahachi, Nkosiyabo Sibanda, said the boy was transported to Zimbabwe by 'malayitsha' (a minibus taxi) but had no injuries when he left South Africa and the correct documents were used for the boy to cross the border.
Ndlovu WhatsApped photos to TimesLIVE that she alleges show the injuries to the child. They depict severe scalding on the head, torso, and limbs.
Mpilo Hospital acting CEO Professor Solwayo Ngwenya confirmed severe injuries to the boy that appeared to match those in the photos sent by Ndlovu.
What happened?
Ndlovu said she sent the boy by plane to live with his father in South Africa in February. She alleges that she received a call on April 19 from Mahachi's grandmother in Bulawayo saying the child was ill and to come fetch him.
Ndlovu said she found the boy with the alleged injuries.
Why it matters for SuperSport United FC
The allegations against Mahachi have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of children in the SuperSport United FC community.
What comes next?
Ndlovu and her lawyers have opened a case at Norkem Park police station in Kempton Park last year alleging that Mahachi and his new wife, Rose Mahachi, inflicted the injuries on their son.
Ndlovu said she intends to travel to South Africa to open a case of attempted murder against Mahachi once the boy is healthy enough to accompany her.
