Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
A MAN who caused chaos at a business centre in Ntabazinduna, Umguza District, and repeatedly struck a police officer with an axe, including on the head, has been sentenced to an effective four years in prison.
Wellington Mangena (36) appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla on Thursday facing an attempted murder charge.
He pleaded not guilty and was represented by Mr Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Law Firm.
In his defence, Mr Madzivire said: “Firstly, Mangena was at the scene of the crime when the complainant Njabulo Ncube was involved in a confrontation with a villager named Dominic.
“The complainant started fighting with one Dominic who overpowered him. The complainant was the aggressor. Mangena was arrested because he was with Dominic who fled from the crime scene and is on the run.
“The complainant also poses as a police officer in the community, and it is this impersonation that motivated him to have Mangena arrested so as to instill fear in the community,” he said.
However, at the conclusion of the trial, Mangena was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison.
One year was suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence, leaving him with an effective four-year jail term.
In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Tsungai Charmaine Mutapi said: “The offender showed a sign of disrespect as he assaulted a law enforcement agent, and his actions will cause members of the public to lose confidence in law enforcement agents.
“He was violent and used a weapon. The law enforcement agent will lose dignity in the community.
“The State prays for a custodial sentence so as to send a strong message to discourage members of the public from taking the law into their own hands.”
Prosecuting, Ms Mutapi said the incident occurred on 6 July this year at about 4pm at Mbelesini Business Centre in Ntabazinduna.
“The accused was carrying an axe and was threatening to strike other locals.
“The complainant, Njabulo Ncube, who is a member of the neighbourhood watch committee, approached him intending to stop him from acting in such a wild manner.
“After that the offender charged towards the complainant and struck him with an axe twice on the head, several times on the back, and several times on both legs,” said Ms Mutapi.
The court heard that the complainant sustained deep wounds to the head and lacerations to the lower back.
