Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
A CITY BUS marshal who appeared in a viral video assaulting a Tendy Three Investment (TTI) parking marshal has appeared in court.
Sam Scottfield Matanda (48), from Belleview suburb in Bulawayo, who doubles up as a marshal and a bouncer employed by City Bus, appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso yesterday charged with assault.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge and told the court that the complainant, Michael Ntini (33), had threatened to assault him.
He said: “While he was at work last week on 18 March, one of the buses arrived and parked in front of their offices en route to Botswana.
“Soon after that a TTI pick-up truck arrived and parked beside the bus. Mr Ntini disembarked and came straight to me while I was standing near the bus.
“He told me straight to my face that he would deal with me. He said he had received threats from my workmates and wanted to show me that he was not scared of them. After that I had to act in self-defence and fought back. I slapped him three times on the face. I stopped after the bus occupants, who were travelling to Botswana, charged at me and threatened to beat me up.”
Matanda further stated that he went to TTI offices to report the incident and while he was at the offices, police phoned him, leading to his arrest.
Matanda was granted bail of US$200 and was told not to interfere with State witnesses. He was also ordered to reside at the address he gave to the court until the trial is concluded. The matter was postponed to 30 March for the continuation of trial.
Prosecutor, Mr Samuel Mpofu, told the court that on 18 March, shortly after 10am at Leopold Takawira Avenue and Fifth Street opposite Bulawayo Central Police Station, Mr Ntini arrived in a car and disembarked.
“Matanda confronted him and grabbed him by his collar before slapping him several times in the face. He also dragged him and pushed him, accusing him of clamping his bus,” Mpofu said.
The complainant went to hospital for medical attention and a medical report will be produced in court as an exhibit.
