adminThubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
TWO brothers from Bulawayo allegedly assaulted their 30-year-old neighbour for wearing a Zanu-PF T-shirt. They also robbed him of his cellphone and cash, a court heard. Brian, 24, and Kudakwashe Marizani, 33, both of Emakhandeni suburb, are alleged to have torn Hardlife Ndlovu’s Zanu-PF party T-shirt at a local liquor outlet.
The brothers were supposed to appear on Tuesday before Bulawayo magistrate Tawanda Muchemwa facing a charge of assault but the matter was postponed to April 22 to allow Ndlovu time to submit his medical report.
Brian and Kudakwashe are in custody.
During sat down interviews, Ndlovu said: “I was drinking beer at Maunga Tavern wearing a Zanu-PF T-shirt and cap on Good Friday at around 7PM. Brian approached me and hit my cap with an empty beer bottle.
“He said ‘vanhu veZanu munozviitisa’ (Zanu-PF members are pompous).
“I went outside and waited for my friend who was campaigning in the same area.
“I also tried to talk to Kudakwashe to reprimand his brother,” said Ndlovu.
He said while he was still talking to Kudakwashe, Brian came out of the tavern and picked up a stone which he threw at Ndlovu but missed.
Ndlovu said he tried to escape but the two siblings caught up with him. He said they grabbed him before tearing his T-shirt.
“When I was running away, I dropped my wallet containing $150 and a Samsung Galaxy S4 cellphone. Brian picked up my wallet and cellphone but when I asked for them he refused to hand them over,” said Ndlovu.
He said he was assisted to escape from the scene by his friend, local businessman and Zanu-PF member, Kidwell Mujuru who drove him to Luveve Police Station to report the matter.
Police officers accompanied Ndlovu to identify the siblings and they were informed by people at the tavern that the brothers had left for the Cricket Club in Emakhandeni suburb.
Ndlovu said together with the police officers, he followed the two to the club where he positively identified his assailants.
According to court papers, Kudakwashe punched Ndlovu all over the body in the presence of the police, leading to their arrest.
Online Reporter