Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
WHILE some households casually toss chicken offals to dogs or label them pet food, one grown Bulawayo man allegedly treated the intestines like crown jewels and was ready to blind another man over them.
A 34-year-old Southwold man is cooling his heels in court after allegedly pepper spraying a fellow braai enthusiast, whom he accused of stealing his chicken offals during a midnight braai.
Nkosilathi Khoza pleaded not guilty to assault before Bulawayo magistrate, Vimbai Chirai.
Prosecutor Joseph Rugara told the court that the bizarre drama took place on 27 October 2025, around midnight at Southwold Shopping Centre in Bulawayo.
The court heard that Khoza and Lovemore Kanombirira were enjoying separate braais at the shopping centre, each man minding his own fire, his own meat and his own business, until offals became the centre of attention.
Trouble started when Khoza allegedly left his braai unattended to buy beer from nearby shops. When he returned, he claimed that some of his prized chicken offals had mysteriously vanished.
What many people would shrug off or laugh about instantly became serious business.
Tempers flared.
Khoza allegedly pointed the finger at Kanombirira, who was braaing next to him, accusing him of helping himself to the offals. He reportedly told the court that Kanombirira’s portion looked suspiciously bigger than what he had left behind.
Apparently, he had been measuring the portions with precision eyes and did not doubt in his mind that Kanombirira had helped himself to his portion.
A minor scuffle ensued and in the blink of an eye, it became a full-blown offals feud.
In a shocking escalation, Khoza allegedly pulled out pepper spray and blasted Kanombirira straight in the face, leaving him stunned, choking and in pain.
The court heard that the victim did not fight back or argue over the offals. Instead, still reeling from the pepper spray attack, he staggered to report the matter to the police.
Police acted swiftly, leading to Khoza’s arrest and subsequent appearance in court.
Magistrate Chirai remanded Khoza in custody as investigations continue, with the case set to resume on 5 February.
Bongani Ndlovu