Teenager loses finger in fight over drum

The pair was accused of murdering Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services officer, Tapiwa Mutyasira (29), whose body was dumped along the Mutare-Harare railway line, where it was crushed into pieces by a goods train

Takunda Gambiza-Herald Reporter

A 30-YEAR-OLD man from Chegutu, who attacked a teenage boy for refusing to hand over his drum during a memorial service before biting off the boy’s middle finger, has been sentenced to five months in jail.

According to the Chegutu Magistrates’ Court, Benard Nguwo was convicted after he bit off a 13-year-old boy’s finger during a dispute over drumming duties at the ceremony on September 20.

Nguwo demanded to take over drumming from the teenager. When the juvenile refused to hand over the drum, an argument ensued. In a fit of rage, Nguwo bit the victim’s right middle finger, severing it completely.

The court sentenced the offender to eight months in prison. However, three months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve an effective five months.

In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe urged members of the public to resolve disputes peacefully. It warned that violent reactions to trivial misunderstandings would not be tolerated under the law.