Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
CLUB Zone boss Blessed Charakupa was on Monday convicted of assault and remanded in custody to today for mitigation and sentence.
Charakupa was convicted after a full trial by Harare magistrate Mr Gamuchirai Gore.
Magistrate Gore said the State had managed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had committed the offence.
“It is common purpose that an altercation occurred when the parties were at Habhana Lounge,” he said.
“The court approached the evidence with caution, given that alcohol had been consumed on the night in question. While the witnesses were truthful and honest, the court was cognisant of the fact that mistaken identity was possible in this case and considered the lighting, whether or not they knew him prior, and how they could have identified him.
“Their injuries or broken teeth and swollen mouth showed that their assailant could have been of close range, hence he was properly identified as they frequented his bar from time to time, there was no mistaken identity.
“From the evidence, the court is satisfied that the State proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.”
The State claimed that on January 27, the two complainants, Obert Masvotore and Tanaka Tamayi were at a party at the club with their friends and family when the former saw a certain man assaulting his brother, Ronald and he managed to restrain his brother, who drove off soon after.
As Masvotore was about to leave, Charakupa blocked his vehicle and charged towards him and opened the door where Tamayi was sitting.
He allegedly hit Tamayi on the mouth with a fist while his accomplice opened the passenger door and hit him with a fist on the head.
Tamayi’s father then warned Charakupa and his goons not to assault his child in front of him and they stopped.
Masvotore tried to stop the fight and was also assaulted. Tamayi sustained a cut on the lip and two broken teeth.
Masvotore sustained injuries on his ribs, a cut on the lip and a swollen thumb.
