Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
THEY say every neighbourhood has that one person who knows everyone’s business before even the people involved know it!
In Rangemore, that title apparently belongs to one Zanele Maseko. But this time, her sharp tongue nearly got permanently edited from her face.
It all started with a rumour. Not an earthquake, not a scandal of national importance, just a whisper that Joseph Nyathi’s wife was allegedly expecting. To normal people, this is the sort of news that is followed by ululations, baby name ideas and suggestions of which aunt should come help with the new arrival.
But to Nyathi, no! Baba went full action movie.
On 19 October, at around 10PM, Nyathi stormed to Maseko’s home breathing fire, armed with an empty beer bottle, banging on doors and demanding to know why she was “broadcasting” his matrimonial updates without his approval. Neighbours say if anger had a ringtone, Nyathi was on full volume.
When Maseko opened her door, Nyathi smashed the bottle and announced his intentions of shutting down her alleged gossip programme. The neighbourhood scrambled, onlookers tackled and dragged him away and for a moment, it seemed peace had been restored.
But part two started immediately.
Nyathi came back moments later, this time swinging a machete shining like it had been polished for the occasion. Before anyone could intervene, he allegedly swung straight for Maseko’s mouth. The blow landed on her forehead.
One cut. Blood. Screams. Chaos. Nyathi took off like a man late for a bus.
Maseko was rushed to hospital. Police were alerted. Nyathi was arrested shortly after.
Now, while the community may laugh about how Zanele’s mouth finally met a worthy opponent, the law did not laugh. The courtroom was serious. Sober. Judge-like. Because machete violence is no joke even when the cause sounds like a neighbourhood WhatsApp group gone wrong.
Western Commonage regional magistrate Pasipanodya Maturure found Nyathi guilty of attempted murder. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with two years suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Nyathi will now have the next three years to sit quietly, reflect and maybe learn that sometimes silence is also an answer.
As for Maseko, she is recovering well and has reportedly reduced broadcast hours.
Christina Manyika prosecuted.
