Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura,Court Writer
A 35-YEAR-OLD Khami Prison inmate has been sentenced to an effective six months in jail after he bit off a piece of another inmate’s tongue during a fight.
Dumisani Sibanda of Nkulumane suburb was convicted on his own plea of guilty to assault by Western Commonage magistrate Mr Archie Wochiwunga. He was sentenced to nine months in prison, with three months suspended for three years on condition he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
Prosecuting, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that on July 20, Sibanda and the complainant, Clement Maphosa (33), both serving time at Khami Maximum Prison, had a misunderstanding that escalated into a fist fight.
The two exchanged insults before fighting, and although other inmates initially restrained them, Sibanda chased after Maphosa when he tried to flee. He head-butted him and he complainant fell on the ground before strangling him.
“As the complainant struggled to breathe, he stuck out his tongue, whereupon Sibanda bit off a piece of it and spat it on the ground,” said Ms Kufandikanwe.
Maphosa was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital for treatment.
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