Man jailed 3 yrs for brutal attack on neighbour

A MAN who struck his neighbour on the head with a broken beer bottle, leaving him with permanent speech impairment, has been sentenced to an effective three years in prison.

Talent Moyo (31), of Inyathi in Matabeleland North Province, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla on Monday and pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted murder.

Ms Mkandla convicted and sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment, with one year suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period. He will effectively serve three years behind bars.

In passing sentence, the magistrate said the attack had been premeditated.

“After you were denied fetching water from the well, you rushed to your family home and fetched a beer bottle, which you used to attack the complainant and you struck him on the head. He sustained serious injuries,” said Ms Mkandla.

She said the complainant had been left with lasting injuries as a result of the attack.

“In a victim impact statement, the complainant stated that as a result of the attack he suffered speech impairment and the medical report shows that it will be a permanent injury. You disfigured his body and used a dangerous weapon. However, the court will take into consideration that you are a first-time offender and pleaded guilty,” said Ms Mkandla.

In mitigation, Moyo told the court that he was the sole breadwinner for his family and expressed remorse for his actions.

“I have two minor children that I financially support. I left them at the mine. I’m really sorry for what I did and I ask this court to forgive me,” he said.

In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Tsungai Charmaine Mutapi said the offence was serious and noted that cases of attempted murder and murder were prevalent in Inyathi.

“A life was almost lost and he severely hit him on a sensitive part of the body, causing him to suffer a permanent injury.

“A strong message has to be sent through a custodial sentence so as to deter would-be offenders, which include members of the general community and, in particular, artisanal miners,” said Ms Mutapi.

Prosecuting, Ms Mutapi told the court that the incident occurred on May 26 this year.

The court heard that Moyo went to the complainant’s homestead and asked to fetch water from a well, but his request was refused.

Ms Mutapi said the refusal angered the offender, who rushed back to his home and returned armed with a beer bottle.

“He attacked him severely on the head. He fell to the ground and fell unconscious. The complainant was rushed to hospital where he spent three weeks in intensive care,” said Ms Mutapi.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to Moyo’s arrest.