Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
THREE men from Fort Rixon in Matabeleland South Province appeared in court for allegedly teaming up to rain blows on a fellow villager and stabbing him in the buttocks over an undisclosed matter.
Honest Msipa (18), Runyararo Dube (19), and Clifford Sibanda (20) appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso, facing a charge of assault.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail. They were ordered to reside at the addresses they provided to the court and were warned against interfering with State witnesses.
Representing the State, Methuli Ncube told the court that the complainant, Reason Mpofu, went to Shuga Homestead, Pioneer Village 4, intending to buy some refreshments.
“Mpofu was intercepted by the three accused persons, who asked him what he wanted, and a misunderstanding ensued. Accused number one (Msipa) drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed the complainant once on his right buttock. Accused number two (Dube) and accused number three (Sibanda) joined in the fight, assaulting the complainant several times on the face using clenched fists and open hands. He sustained injuries to his body and was rushed to hospital for medical attention,” said Ncube.
The complainant reported the incident to the police, who quickly launched a manhunt, leading to the arrest of the trio.
In an unrelated incident, two brothers, Open Sibanda (23) and Lungisani Sibanda (26), confronted a vagrant identified as Liberty Mpofu near the corner of Fifth Street and Third Avenue, accusing him of having stolen from them while they were drinking at a local nightspot. They allegedly punched and kicked him all over the body until he fell unconscious.
Passers-by intervened and apprehended the accused persons before taking them to Bulawayo Central Police Station, leading to their arrest.
