Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
A SIZINDA man who turned into a one-man street bully at a city shopping centre has been slapped with 315 hours of community service after he punched a fellow reveller and stabbed him on the back for absolutely no reason.
Edson Phiri (41) appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube facing an assault charge he could not talk his way out of. He admitted everything. The court initially gave him 15 months behind bars but six months were suspended for five years. The remaining nine months were converted to community service at Tshabalala Police Station, to be completed within nine weeks.
Prosecutor Cathrine Kuzu told the court that on 22 November at around 11.30PM at Basic Business Centre, without warning, Phiri allegedly swung a fist straight into the face of Lucky Ncube (39), cracking him on the nose.
Phiri followed up with a mysterious stab to Ncube’s back using an unknown sharp object before casually melting into the night. There was no argument, no provocation and no explanation. Just pure midnight madness.
The court heard that Ncube bled and sustained a deep cut from the attack. He later filed a police report, which led to Phiri’s arrest.
Now, the Sizinda troublemaker will spend his festive season sweeping, scrubbing and sweating at Tshabalala Police Station.
Bongani Ndlovu