adminMidlands Correspondent
Gweru magistrate Judith Taruvinga yesterday told two Gweru men who teamed up and assaulted a patron at a local club over a $1 debt that they had no meaningful work to keep them occupied hence she sentenced them to perform 350 hours of community service.The two men, Colleen Mhlanga, 24, and Tawanda Chikeya, 19, who are both unemployed and residing in Mkoba will perform their community services at two different schools in the same suburb.
“How can you assault someone for a mere $1? It confirms that you have time to waste and I will not fine you but sentence you to perform 350 hours of community service each for the offence so as to keep you occupied,” said Taruvinga.
The two had pleaded guilty to assaulting a fellow patron, Happy Muzivoreva, over a dollar he owed Chikeya. Prosecuting, Hackson Kadungure told the court that on 6 January 2014, at about 8PM, the two Mhlanga and Chikeya were drinking beer at Takarangana Night Club when the complainant, Muzivoreva, joined them.
The court heard that Muzivoreva had no cash on him and borrowed $1 from Chikeya so that he could also buy a round of beer.
Muzivoreva gave Chikeya his LG cellphone handset as surety for the $1 he had borrowed, the court heard.
Kadungure said at about 10PM on the same day, Chikeya gave Muzivoreva his cellphone back and demanded his $1 back. Muzivoreva told Chikeya that he had no money on him but Chikeya and Mhlanga became violent and started assaulting the complainant with open hands and booted feet.
They were restrained by other patrons from further assaulting Muzivoreva. The complainant later went and reported the matter to the police
Mhlanga will perform his 350 hours of community service at Matinunura High while Chikeya will perform his at Mkoba 3 High.
Online Reporter