Drunk cop smashes shop worker with beer bottle over change

Thupeyo Muleya

A POLICE officer who turned violent after being told “no change” at a local butchery has been slapped with a nine-month jail term after he bashed a shop attendant with an empty beer bottle.
Ziggie Khonzani (32), who is stationed in the border town, went from peacekeeper to attacker in a drunken rage on the night of May 5.

Appearing before Regional Magistrate Charity Maphosa, the rogue cop was initially charged with attempted murder, but the court found him guilty of assault after a full trial.
He was sentenced to 18 months behind bars, but half of that was suspended for five years. The remaining nine months are effective, meaning Khonzani will cool off in jail until next year.

Prosecutor Tsitsi Mtukuwa told the court that at around 9pm when Khonzani entered a local butchery and bought meat using a US$20 note.
When the till operator told him there was no change, the uniformed officer lost it.

In a fit of rage, Khonzani grabbed an empty beer bottle and smashed it against the till operator’s head, leaving the victim with serious wounds.
Another customer had to step in to restrain the officer before things turned deadly.

The injured worker was rushed for medical attention and the matter was quickly reported. Ironically, it was fellow cops who tracked down and arrested Khonzani.
Residents in Beitbridge were left shocked by the incident, with many questioning the conduct of some law enforcement officers off duty.

From lawman to lawbreaker, Khonzani’s fall from grace is now sealed with jail time.