Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
SIX men from Bulawayo have appeared in court facing attempted murder charges after allegedly attacking a fellow patron with a machete and beer bottles during a violent bar brawl, all because he greeted a woman they were with.
Brian Ncube (24), Busiswa Mpofu (24), Mthulisi Phakathi (24), Nqobezweni Nyathi (22), Phikelela Kabu (25) and Calvin Ndlovu (20) appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Marondedze on Thursday.
They were remanded in custody to May 19 pending a formal bail application.
Prosecuting, Ms Christina Manyika told the court that the incident occurred in the early hours of 10 May, around 2AM, at Nyahugwe Sports Bar in Bulawayo.
The victim, Mr Vincent Murove, allegedly greeted a female patron who was part of the group that included the six accused men. His simple act of courtesy allegedly provoked a violent and disproportionate reaction.
“The greeting did not sit well with the accused persons,” said Ms Manyika.
According to the State, Mpofu and Ncube confronted Mr Murove and struck him on the head with a beer bottle. As the scuffle escalated, Mpofu allegedly drew a machete and struck Mr Murove on the left hand and he sustained serious injuries.
The court heard that the other co-accused, who had been standing nearby, then joined in the attack, indiscriminately kicking and stomping on Mr Murove while he was down, and repeatedly striking him with bottles. The gang is alleged to have left the victim bleeding and unconscious on the ground.
“The group acted in common purpose with intent to kill,” said the prosecutor.
Police launched an investigation and managed to recover the machete allegedly used in the assault at a house in Mpopoma suburb, where four of the suspects were found sleeping.
Mr Murove was rushed to a local hospital for treatment and has since been discharged.
