Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
A BULAWAYO teenager who smashed a 54-year-old man on the head with a half brick during a heated misunderstanding has escaped jail after being sentenced to community service.
Delight Mureri (18) of Emganwini suburb was facing an attempted murder charge. However, after the trial, he was acquitted of attempted murder and found guilty of the lesser charge of assault.
Western Commonage Regional Magistrate Pasipanodya Maturure convicted Mureri.
He slapped him with a 12-month prison sentence. However, four months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. The remaining eight months were also suspended on condition that he completes 280 hours of community service at ZRP Insuza.
Prosecutor Christina Manyika told the court that Mureri and the complainant, Welcome Dube (54), were not related.
The violent incident occurred on 16 May 2026 at about 3PM behind Topia Shops at Mbundane Terminus in Bulawayo.
According to the State, a misunderstanding broke out between the two men, resulting in tempers flaring.
In the heat of the moment, Mureri picked up a half brick and struck Dube once on the head.
The blow left Dube injured and he was rushed for medical treatment. The matter was later reported to the police, leading to Mureri’s arrest.
After hearing the evidence, the court ruled that while the attack did not amount to attempted murder, the teenager was guilty of assault.
Instead of spending time behind bars, Mureri will now serve his punishment through community service while remaining under the watchful eye of the law.
