Man jailed for assaulting brother-in-law, leading to sight loss

Amos Mpofu,[email protected]
A BULAWAYO man was yesterday sentenced to four years in jail for indiscriminately assaulting his brother-in-law, resulting in the victim losing his sight.

Makhosi Sibanda (43) of Cowdray Park attacked the complainant whom he accused of interfering in his marital affairs. He struck the victim with a log on the head, damaging his occipital lobe.

He was convicted of assault by Western Commonage provincial resident magistrate, Mr Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe.

The magistrate sentenced Sibanda to an effective 40 months behind bars, after suspending eight months for five years on the condition of good behaviour.

The court heard that Sibanda, in an unprovoked attack, struck his brother-in-law with a log on the head, damaging his occipital lobe and causing permanent sight loss.

Mr Chikwekwe condemned Sibanda’s actions, noting that such violent assaults are becoming more common in Bulawayo’s western suburbs.

“Cases of assault of this nature are on the rise in the western suburbs of Bulawayo, and this was a senseless assault. The offender had a dispute with his wife that had nothing to do with the victim.

Such matters could have been resolved without violence,” ruled the magistrate.

The prosecutor, Ms Audrey Kufandikatii told the court that on September 2, the complainant had visited his sister’s home to help resolve a domestic dispute between her and Sibanda. The argument escalated when Sibanda accused the complainant of meddling in his private affairs.

In a fit of rage, Sibanda picked up a log and struck the complainant on the head, resulting in severe injuries. The attack was reported to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest and subsequent trial.