adminEmily Mbewe Court Reporter
THREE Bulawayo men were yesterday sentenced to 18 months in prison for slapping and stoning a police officer.
Sage Ngwenya, 26, Thuto Mahopolo, 24, and Peter Moyo, 26, of Nketa suburb pleaded guilty to assault when they appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.
The trio heaved a sigh of relief when the magistrate suspended the whole sentence.
The reason for the assault was not mentioned in court. In suspending the sentences, Msipa Marondedze said the court took into account that the three did not waste the court’s time by denying the charge.
“You’re all first offenders who pleaded guilty to the charge. You’re therefore each sentenced to 18 months imprisonment of which six months are suspended for five years on condition you don’t commit an offence of a similar nature. The remaining 12 months are wholly suspended on condition you each perform 421 hours of community service at Senzangakhona Primary School,” said Msipa-Marondedze.
Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza told the court that on June 5 at around 10PM and along Emganwini road, the three men met Tawanda Chingezi, a police officer.
Mageza told the court that Chingezi walked past them and the men followed him.
“When he was near the gate to his home, they attacked him. They hit him with stones and slapped him several times,” said Mageza.
The court heard that Chingezi sustained injuries on his head and back.
“A report was made to the police leading to the three men’s arrest,” said Mageza.
Chingezi was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical examination.
Online Reporter