The Zimbabwean High Court has banned beating of children across the country

The ruling came after a parent had complained of deep bruises on her six-year-old child after a beating by a teacher. The mother of the flogged child, Linah Pfungwa, said her child had failed to have her reading book signed by her guardians that she had done
her homework hence the beating. Pfungwa told the court that her child was flogged with a rubber pipe.

She said she had posted the pictures of the bruised child to their Whatsapp group and it appeared other children had also been assaulted by teachers.

In her application, Pfungwa said that children should not be subjected to any form of violence and such corporal
punishment breached their rights under Zimbabwe’s Constitution. She argued that
other forms of discipline should be used for children.

BBC News reports that some parents are criticising the ruling, while rights groups says it is long overdue.

Justice David Mangota agreed that corporal punishment for children was unconstitutional said that teachers as well as parents must not beat their children even if they misbehave.