Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara [email protected]
A 28-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for assault after he struck a police officer on the left palm with a machete.
Blessing Makwanhla of Mzilikazi suburb appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla, facing a charge of assault as defined in Section 89(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23. He was found guilty as charged for assaulting Simon Ziyadinga, who is employed by the Ministry of Home Affairs as a police officer at the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Donnington.
In passing sentence, the magistrate said the accused used a prohibited weapon to attack the complainant.
He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, of which six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
This leaves an effective 12 months prison term.
Prosecuting, Ms Tsungai Mutapi told the court that on April 3, at around 9:15 PM, the complainant was at SD Bottle Store in Machipsini, Mzilikazi buying beer.
“The accused then entered and broke two empty bottles. The complainant tried to calm him down, as he was already violent, but this did not go well with him. The accused then went outside,” said Ms Mutapi.
The court heard that the accused later returned holding a machete and struck the complainant once on the left palm, causing a cut.
The complainant made a police report, leading to the arrest of the accused. He was later referred to Mpilo Hospital for medical examination.
Attacking an officer of the law calls for a stiffer sentence. Please parliamentarians do your job, amend these laws. Our justice system is laughable.