adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A 25-YEAR-OLD Masvingo man bashed his 70-year-old grandmother after an argument over $2. Tawanda Matande of Matande Village under Chief Murinye pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault when he appeared before magistrate Langton Ndokera on Thursday. He was, however, convicted due to overwhelming evidence and sentenced to two years in jail.
One year was suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The State led by Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa said Matande deserved a deterrent sentence that would send a stern warning to would-be offenders.
“The accused acted in a barbaric way which is unacceptable to society that he deserves a deterrent sentence to forewarn would be offenders. The accused was least expected to act in that manner. He showed disrespect to his own grandmother,” said Mukondiwa.
Agreed facts are that on February, 19, at around 6pm, Matande arrived at Mbungu Tevera’s homestead where there was a beer drink.
Matande joined other patrons who were drinking beer at the homestead.
He approached Tevera, his grandmother, and demanded the $2 that Tevera owed him as he had indicated that he wanted to buy more beer.
Tevera told him that she did not have the money at that time and that did not go down well with Matande.
He began to shout at everyone who was there uttering obscenities and on realising that Matande was becoming violent other patrons took off leaving him with Tevera.
The court heard that Matande picked a rake and without caution struck Tevera twice on the left hand while demanding his money.
Other patrons who were watching from a distance rushed to the scene and restrained Matande from further assaulting Tevera.
She sustained injuries on her left hand as a result of the assault.
A report was made to the police leading to Matande’s arrest.
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