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Midlands Reporter
PEOPLE attending a court session in Gweru were given a scare yesterday when a 19-year-old man, up for assault, collapsed following a grilling by a state prosecutor.Muziwethu Hlongwane of Nkwawana Village, under Chief Sogwala of Lower Gweru pleaded not guilty when he appeared before magistrate Mildred Matuvi facing assault charges. He was remanded out of custody for judgment today.
State prosecutor, Kudzai Mutezo, alleged that on 29 May at 7.30AM, the complainant, Martin Sibanda, who resides in the same village noticed Hlongwane dumping tree branches onto a path. When he asked why he was doing that, Hlongwane allegedly told him that he was extending his home boundary.
The court heard that Sibanda advised the accused man against this saying that would make it difficult for other villagers to pass.
Hlongwane concurred and promised to remove the branches later that day.
On the following day Sibanda noticed the branches still on the road and decided to remove the branches as per their previous discussion. The court was also told that Hlongwane caught Sibanda in the act and in a fit of fury started insulting him accusing him of disrespecting him.
He then allegedly hit Sibanda with an axe handle that he was carrying and punched him with fists. Hlongwane allegedly also bit Sibanda before chasing him away.
The complainant managed to run straight to a police base where he made a report that led to Hlongwane’s arrest.
During cross examination, Hlongwane argued that considering the difference in their ages, there was no way he could have assaulted Sibanda but Mutezo was quick to point out that fighting abilities were not determined by age.
After being put in the hot seat for several minutes Hlongwane complained that he was no longer feeling well and immediately collapsed. Prison wardens rushed to assist the accused man and took him outside.
He regained consciousness a few minutes later.
Online Reporter