adminTimoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
A MAN was stabbed in the gut after stepping on a fellow bus passenger’s groceries, a court heard. Yesterday, Knowledge Maturure, 21, William Maturure, 26, and their 16-year-old teenage brother were beginning two-year jail sentences after pleading guilty to attempted murder.
The trio, of Arcadia Village under Chief Nhema in Shurugwi, were travelling to their rural home by bus for Christmas on board a Dawnliner bus when they attacked Isaac Mudzonga.
For the state, Ndamukanei Chikuni told the Gweru Magistrates’ Court that the bus was pulling out of Tongongara Business Centre in Gweru shortly after 6PM on December 12 last year when the brothers confronted Mudzonga.
The three brothers accused Mudzonga of stepping on their groceries and a misunderstanding ensued.
Chikuni said Mudzonga apologised to the three who did not accept the apology.
She said Knowledge struck Mudzonga with a fist on the eye. As Mudzonga tried to fight back, the 16-year-old produced a knife and stabbed him once in the stomach.
The bus driver, the court heard, immediately drove to Tongogara police station.
The court heard that William, who had been a bystander in the fight, immediately got interested when the bus stopped at the police station. He rushed to grab the knife from his young brother and concealed it.
The police, with the help of other passengers, arrested Knowledge and his younger brother while William stormed out of the bus. Police gave chase and arrested him.
Gweru regional magistrate, Morgan Nemadire, sentenced the trio to five years each in prison. He suspended three years for good behaviour, and a year each on condition that they restitute Mudzonga his medical expenses.
They will serve an effective two years in prison.
Online Reporter