Man stabs another with broken beer bottle

A 49-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has appeared in court for allegedly stabbing his drinking companion with a broken beer bottle during a dispute.

Enos Nkani of Mpopoma suburb was arraigned before Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Sibongile Marondedze, who remanded him in custody to Friday.

The altercation occurred on December 7 last year at Congo Beer Garden, leaving the victim, Mr Shelton Sibanda, with severe injuries to his chest, nose, and forehead.

The prosecutor Ms Christine Manyika told the court that the incident happened around 8 pm as Mr Sibanda was preparing to leave the beer garden.

“As the complainant was about to leave, the accused slapped him and began insulting him. He then broke an empty beer bottle he was holding and stabbed the complainant several times in the chest, nose, and forehead,” said Ms Manyika.

The court heard that Mr Sibanda managed to escape when bystanders intervened to restrain Nkani. He immediately reported the incident to the police and was subsequently taken to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical treatment. The victim is recovering from his injuries.

Meanwhile, a 34-year-old woman from Njube suburb, Bulawayo, was yesterday sentenced to 210 hours of community service for assaulting her ex-husband.

Talent Dhliwayo was convicted of physical abuse by Western Commonage Magistrate Mrs Lenia Khumalo. Dliwayo was sentenced to nine months imprisonment of which three months were suspended for five years on the condition that she does not commit any violence-related offence within that period.

The remaining six months were suspended on the condition that she completes her community service at Nyamande Primary School.

The prosecutor Ms Catherine Kuzu told the court that the incident occurred on January 12 at around 9pm at Figa Beer Garden, where Dhliwayo and her ex-husband, Mr Jabulani Sithole, were drinking together.

“Dhliwayo and the complainant had a misunderstanding, which led to the accused becoming violent. She accused the victim of following her everywhere and then struck him on the forehead with an empty beer bottle,” said Ms Kuzu.

As a result, Mr Sithole sustained a cut on his forehead and near his left eye.

In mitigation, Dhliwayo expressed remorse for her actions.

“I do not know what came over me. I just thought he was following me. All I ask is for him to forgive me. I will not repeat the same mistake,” she said.

In her ruling, Mrs Khumalo noted the prevalence of assault cases in western suburbs and the need for the courts to deter such behaviour.

“Cases of assault that end in physical abuse have become prevalent in the western suburbs. The sentence was crafted to deter both the offender and other potential offenders from engaging in such acts. It serves as a reminder of the legal repercussions associated with assault,” she said.