Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo-Court Correspondent
A BOLT Cutter Bus Service conductor has been jailed for an effective seven months after viciously attacking a passenger who demanded a refund when he discovered the bus was overcrowded.
Ranjisi Andrew Manyati (45), of Mutoko, pleaded guilty to assault and theft when he appeared before Mutoko magistrate Panashe Matongo.
He was initially sentenced to nine months in prison.
However, two months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him with an effective seven-month jail term.
The complainant is Jonathan Nyoni (21).
The court heard that on Thursday last week, at Domborembudzi Business Centre in Murehwa, a mushikashika driver handed Manyati US$20.
The money belonged to Nyoni.
It was meant to pay bus fares for Nyoni and his friend, Chaseman Chikuti, who intended to travel to Mutoko.
Manyati was supposed to deduct the fare and return the balance.
However, trouble started after Nyoni boarded the Bolt Cutter bus and realised it was packed, with several passengers standing.
Unhappy with the overcrowding, he decided not to travel and demanded his money back.
Instead of refunding the cash, Manyati refused to return the US$20 and ordered the driver to leave.
As Nyoni desperately tried to recover his money before the bus departed, tempers flared.
Senior public prosecutor, Simbarashe Samanyanga, told the court that Manyati launched a violent attack on the passenger.
He repeatedly punched and slapped Nyoni in the face before wrestling him to the ground.
The conductor then allegedly kicked the young man four times in the face with booted feet while he lay on the ground.
The assault only came to an end after other members of the bus crew stepped in and restrained Manyati.
Nyoni reported the matter to the police and was referred to Musami Hospital for treatment and medical examination.
Manyati was later arrested and charged with theft for failing to refund the complainant’s money.
He was also charged with assault.
He was convicted on his own plea of guilty and sentenced to prison.
