adminRichard Muponde Gwanda Correspondent
A prominent Gwanda businessman Mr Mbonisi Mpala has paid several beasts to compensate a Stanmore woman who was viciously attacked by his dog early last year and hospitalised for three months. Mr Mpala owns the popular Stanmore Business Centre, business venture, Tshisa Nyama which comprises a restaurant, butchery and bar. The businessman’s vicious dog savaged 61-year-old, Mrs Evelyne Dube of Stanmore when his pack was being taken out for exercises. Mrs Dube was coming from fetching water from a nearby borehole.
In an interview, Mpala confirmed that he has paid Mrs Dube the beasts to compensate her for the bites.
“First when she was bitten I didn’t go to see her for some time until I gathered courage to approach the family. I went with a mediator and they told me that they wanted a beast because I had disrespected them. I paid that beast,” said Mr Mpala.
“I also took over all the medical expenses for her. I even provided transport for her physio-therapy until she recovered. The family later came back and demanded that I pay them six more beasts which I did over the weekend. All including seven live beasts and the equivalent of the money I used amounts to 10 beasts,” he said.
Mr Mpala said he was not bitter about it, but was doing it because as neighbours they should live harmoniously.
“It was an accident and that dog was not even mine. It belonged to a friend who had brought it for safekeeping. However, after everything has been said and done what remains is that as relatives we should live together in peace and love,” he said.
However, Mrs Dube’s son, Mr Luckson Dube although he confirmed receiving seven beasts, said they were for medical bills they incurred not compensation for injuries.
“He (Mpala) said he will pay the medical bills and those cattle were for that purpose. We haven’t met to discuss about what he would do about the permanent disability of my mother. The decision will come out when we meet as a family,” said Mr Dube.
He added: “One of the beasts was for saying sorry for delaying in meeting us over the issue. The six were for medical bills incurred which were $3 960. However, what’s important is for us to live in harmony. He is our neighbour hence our relative.”
Mrs Dube was admitted to hospital for three months after the dog attack.
Bongani Ndlovu