Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura [email protected]
A 27-year-old man from Gwelutshena has been sentenced to perform 420 hours of community service after being convicted of assaulting a teenager with a knobkerrie following a dispute over cattle.
Brian Lubalethu Ngwenya of Fania Mlotshwa Village appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla facing a charge of attempted murder. However, after trial, he was convicted of the lesser charge of assault.
In sentencing, Ms Mkandla imposed an 18-month prison term, of which six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. The remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that Ngwenya completes 420 hours of community service at Mdengele Primary School.
The complainant is Makhosi Sibanda (17), of Mdengele Village under Chief Sikhobokhobo in Gwelutshena.
Prosecutor Ms Tsungai Mutapi told the court that on March 9 at about 10am, Sibanda was milking cows at his homestead when Ngwenya approached him, leading to a misunderstanding over cattle that had allegedly strayed into the accused’s field and damaged crops. The court heard that, in retaliation, Ngwenya allegedly went to the complainant’s homestead and opened the cattle kraal gates, allowing the animals to enter and destroy crops belonging to the complainant.
“The accused person then stated that he wanted to see who would remove the cattle from the complainant’s field. When the complainant attempted to drive the cattle out of the field, the accused person struck him once on the head with a knobkerrie, causing him to fall unconscious,” said Ms Mutapi.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused.
The complainant was initially treated at Mdengele Clinic before being transferred to Nkayi District Hospital for further medical attention. A medical report was produced in court as evidence.
