A BULAWAYO woman has been arrested for allegedly abusing her five step-children who had been placed in her custody.

A court heard that the woman would assault the children with an electric cable and insult them using obscenities.

State allegations are that the matter came to light after one of the children, a 14-year-old boy, took off to the streets.

The woman (27), whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the children, pleaded not guilty to a charge of ill-treating children.

She told Magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube that the children were mischievous and were in the habit of searching her handbags for money.

The magistrate remanded her out of custody to May 10.