State media says author of corporal punishment on 9-year old, not part of staff

By Stephen TADAHA

State media, Cameroon Radio Television, CRTV, has denied having any formal links with a lady accused of torturing and maltreating her 9-year old adoptive child with a pressing iron in Yaoundé. Contrary to what social media handles have been assuming, CRTV General Manager, Charles Ndongo said the lady is not a member of his staff.

In a release on Friday May 10 issued by the GM, to shed light on the matter, it was revealed that the suspect, Ndi Lisette occasionally intervenes in the program “Et si on en parlait” as guest, a program which has been suspended while waiting for conclusions of investigations that have been opened on the matter.

Lisette Ndi is currently being detained at the 19th district police in Yaoundé for allegedly inflicting severe corporal punishment on the adoptive girl child.

It is the girl’s teacher who discovered fresh wounds on her buttocks after noticing the pains and tears she had been in. In the course of questioning her, the kid revealed she had been suffering in the hands of her adoptive mother Lisette Ndi.

“Ndi Lisette is a not a journalist as relayed by many social media handles, but features as guest at the well known program on state television” reads the release from Charles Ndongo.

It is important to note that in Cameroon corporal punishment is prohibited by the law and Law No. 97/9 of 10 January, 1997, which provides severe punishment for the use of torture. If the torture results in unintentional death, the punishment is imprisonment for life; if it causes illness or incapacity to work for a period above 30 days, the punishment is 10–20 years imprisonment; if it causes illness or incapacity to work for a period below 30 days, it is 2–5 years imprisonment and a fine ranging from FCFA 50,000 to FCFA 200,000.