Chronicle Editor
Laurel Murangaridzirayi, [email protected]
A gold panner from Inyathi in Bubi District, who ganged with two accomplices and struck a villager with an axe on the head, was on Thursday sentenced to an effective five years in jail.
The two accomplices are still at large.
Nqobizitha Mpofu (28) of Kopjes Village pleaded not guilty to an attempted murder charge but was convicted by Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Joseph Mabeza.
Mpofu teamed up with Mduduzi Ngwenya (23), and Langelihle Mpofu (22) and attacked Blessing Hadebe over an undisclosed dispute.
Prosecuting, Ms Portia Mashushu said on 8 February, shortly after 7pm, Hadebe was standing outside the shops at Lonely Mine when Mpofu and his two accomplices confronted him carrying axes.
An altercation ensued between the four men resulting in Nqobizitha striking Hadebe with an axe and sustaining injuries on the head.
“On February 8 this year at around 7.05pm, the complainant was standing outside Lonely Mine Business Centre in Inyathi when he was approached by the accused person who was in the company of Mduduzi Ngwenya and Langelihle Mpofu. A dispute ensued resulting in the accused person turning violent,” said Ms Mashushu.
The three men attacked Hadebe before Mpofu axed the complainant, inflicting severe injuries on his head and left leg.
Soon after committing the offence, Mpofu and his two accomplices fled the scene. A report was made to the police and Hadebe was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Investigations led to Mpofu’s arrest.
Meanwhile, Cleopas Muleya, a 23-year-old tenant residing in Cowdray Park suburb, found himself in court on Thursday over a charge of attempted murder. His alleged transgression involved an altercation with his landlord, Shingirai Makoni.
In August, around 3pm, Muleya made the impulsive decision to borrow Makoni’s car without permission. After a joyride, he returned the vehicle with an empty fuel gauge, sparking Makoni’s rightful anger.
A confrontation ensued, culminating in a violent clash that left Makoni unconscious after he was struck by an unknown object.
Makoni’s injuries were severe enough to necessitate his admission to the ICU ward at Mpilo Central Hospital, prompting a police report and Muleya’s subsequent arrest. In his defence, Muleya claimed that alcohol played a role in the unfortunate incident.
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