Man axed over music

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
A GWANDA man allegedly struck a drinking mate with an axe in the face following a misunderstanding over music. Nicholas Siziba, 29, of Fumukwe area in Gwanda District allegedly attacked Lucky Rangwana, 29, with an axe while they were drinking beer with their companions, Steven Makhado and Zivanai Maphosa, at Maphosa’s homestead in Esigodini.

Rangwana allegedly requested for some Shona music to be played and this irked his drinking mate Siziba who then struck the complainant with an axe.

After the alleged attack, Rangwana fell to the ground unconscious.

Siziba was initially charged with attempted murder but escaped with a lesser charge of assault when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate Sheila Nazombe yesterday.

Investigations revealed that the alleged offence was just an assault and the matter will now be heard at Esigodini Magistrates Court on April 16 this year.

Representing the State, Getrude Zvidzai narrated how Siziba allegedly assaulted Rangwana on February 18 this year at around 4AM.

“The accused person interjected in a discussion involving Rangwana who is the complainant, Steven Makhado and Zivanai Maphosa. Siziba demanded to know why the complainant was speaking in Shona and requesting Maphosa to play Shona music.

“The accused person then armed himself with a small axe and struck the complainant once on the left eye and the complainant fell to the ground and lost consciousness,” the court heard.

Zvidzai said after committing the alleged crime, Siziba fled the scene and went to sleep at his place of residence.

Those who witnessed the alleged attack followed Siziba to his place.

“Bystanders who were at the scene teamed up and followed the accused person to his place of residence and found him fast asleep.

“He was still in possession of his small axe and the residents arrested him and took him to Esigodini Police Station,” Zvidzai said.

Rangwana was taken to Esigodini District Hospital for medical examination and was further referred to United Bulawayo Hospitals.