Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
A 39-year-old driver from Lubimbi 2, Kavula Village in Hwange District has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after he admitted to assaulting his supervisor during a heated altercation over unpaid wages.
Crute Ncube, who was employed at Dinson Colliery in Mpongola, appeared before Hwange provincial magistrate Benton Matope, facing a charge of assault. He pleaded guilty to the offence.
Three months of the sentence were conditionally suspended for five years while the remaining nine months were suspended on condition that he performs 315 hours of community service.
According to prosecutor, Brenda Ndlovu, the incident occurred on June 19, 2025 at around 2PM when Ncube was informed of his discharge from employment by his supervisor, Lyu Xingpeng.
Angered by the decision, Ncube demanded payment for the days he had worked. He was handed US$20 for transport costs to lodge a formal complaint at the company’s headquarters in Gweru.
However, Ncube felt the amount was inadequate, leading to a confrontation in which he allegedly punched Lyu twice in the face, causing him to fall.
By standers at the mine rushed to assist the injured supervisor, who was later taken to Hwange Colliery Hospital for treatment.
Medical evidence presented in court confirmed that Lyu sustained a cut above his right eye as a result of the assault.
In mitigation, Ncube told the court that he acted in a moment of frustration after feeling unfairly treated.
The court, while acknowledging the provocation, emphasised that taking the law into one’s own hands cannot be condoned, especially in a workplace setting.
