admin
Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
A SOLDIER has been ordered to perform 280 hours of community service for assaulting an Ingwebu Breweries employee following a brawl over beer. Ricky Mwanza, 27, of Dambashoko village in Gwanda who is stationed at KG6 in Harare denied assaulting Fisani Dungeni, 27, when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate Sheila Nazombe.
He was however found guilty and later pleaded with the court to be lenient.
“I apologise for the offence which I committed and I am asking the court to forgive me because I might lose my job. Iam appealing to the court not to send me to jail,” he said.
The magistrate sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment.
Four months were suspended for three years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
The remaining eight months were suspended on condition that he performs 280 hours community service at the Agriculture Ministry’s Department of
Veterinary offices in Harare starting on Monday next week.
The community service should be completed within eight weeks.
Passing sentence, Nazombe said as a soldier, Mwanza had an obligation to maintain peace rather than cause disturbances.
“What is aggravating is that the complainant sustained a fractured arm because of a brawl over beer,” she said.
Mwanza was also charged with theft of beer but was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Prosecuting, Getrude Zvidzai told the court that Mwanza, who was drunk during the day in question, assaulted and fractured Dungeni’s arm in August this year following a misunderstanding over stolen beer.
The court heard that Dungeni had gone to the business centre to deliver some beer.
Online Reporter