Mahendere contests sentence

of community service for pointing the firearm at Ignatius Nyika.
He made the application through his new lawyer Mr Nickel Mushangwe of Mushangwe and Associates.
In his application, Mahendere said the court was misled by inconsistencies in the evidence given by Nyika. He said the court did not consider a fine as stated in the Firearms Act.
Prosecutor Mr Luke Mutupe argued that the sentence was proper. He said the courts have the discretion to impose a sentence, especially associated to offences of that nature. Mr Mutupe said Mahendere’s application was made without seriousness and should be dismissed. Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Rumbidzai Mugwagwa is expected to give a ruling tomorrow.
Charges against Mahendere arose on May 13 this year in Unit G Extension when he assaulted a kombi driver at the height of an altercation.
He was rescuing two of his relatives who had an argument with Nyika.
Mahendere arrived at the scene armed with a pistol and withdrew it before pointing the weapon at Nyika’s chest.
He then hit him with the butt three times on the face. After the assault, Mahendere dragged Nyika into the kombi and removed keys from the ignition, before punching him in the face.
He was fined US$100 for assault and community service for pointing the firearm.