Debtor bashes lender in $10 row

Nyaradzo Bakari, Chronicle Reporter
A BULAWAYO woman was spared the agony of prison life after she was arraigned for assaulting a neighbour who confronted her over a $10 debt.

She was sentenced to 15 months that were conditionally suspended.

Bridget Dube (37), from Magwegwe suburb, hit Ms Khulekani Nyathi with a teapot and bit her arms after Ms Nyathi had demanded payment two months after the debt arose.

Dube pleaded guilty to an assault charge before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube on Thursday.

Ms Dube sentenced her to 15 months imprisonment and suspended three months on condition that Dube does not commit a similar crime in three years.

The magistrate suspended the remaining 12 months on condition that Dube serves 420 hours of community service at Magwegwe Police Station.

Prosecuting, Mr Nathan Marime said Dube attacked Ms Nyathi with a teapot on August 23 after she had confronted her over $10 that Dube owed her.

“On August 23 at around 8.30 PM the complainant was outside the accused’s home and the accused confronted her for approaching her about the money she owed the complainant,” said Mr Marime.

“The accused then took a metal teapot and hit the complainant on the head with it. When the complainant tried to defend herself by holding the teapot, the accused bit her arms.”

Mr Marime said Ms Nyathi sustained a cut on the head and a medical report was produced as evidence in court.

He said Dube was restrained by neighbours and Ms Nyathi reported the matter to the police, leading to her arrest.

@NyarieBakie