Two men in court for robbing beer patron of US$105

Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Reporter

TWO Bulawayo men who allegedly attacked and robbed a man of US$105 at a local bottle store have appeared in court.

Thabani Mleya (27) and Bongekhile Moyo (22) of Woolandale suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Archie Wochiwunga facing robbery charges. The duo was remanded in custody to Wednesday pending trial.

Prosecuting, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that on 20 June at around 9 PM, the complainant, Mr Mkhululi Ndlovu (32), was drinking beer at Basin Fairview Bottle Store in Woolandale suburb when he was approached by the two accused.
“One of the accused grabbed the complainant by the neck while the other struck him with an empty beer bottle and he fell down,” said Ms Kufandikanwe.

The court heard that the suspects then indiscriminately assaulted Mr Ndlovu before searching him and taking a wallet containing US$105.

The complainant sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. A police report was made, leading to the arrest of Mleya and Moyo. However, the stolen money was not recovered.

In a separate incident, a 30-year-old Bulawayo man, who allegedly attacked his sister by banging her head against a wall, was acquitted on grounds of insanity.

Bakani Ndebele was facing attempted murder charges when he appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs Dambudzo Malunga, who ruled that he was not criminally responsible due to mental illness.
“In light of the letter from the general prosecutor and the psychiatric report, I find the accused not guilty by reason of insanity. Accordingly, Ndebele is committed to Mlondolozi Prison for further mental management,” said Mrs Malunga.

According to the State, represented by Ms Christina Manyika, the incident occurred on 4 July last year at around 4 PM in Nkulumane suburb. Ndebele was left at home with his 19-year-old sister, Lingani Ndebele, by their aunt, Ms Rozani Ndebele.
“The accused chased his sister into the house. She locked herself inside the bedroom, but he broke the window and gained entry. Once inside, he grabbed her and repeatedly banged her head against the wall until she lost consciousness and started bleeding from the nose and mouth,” said Ms Manyika.
Neighbours, alerted by the sister’s screams, contacted the police. The aunt returned home to find Ndebele calmly seated on the bed while the victim lay unconscious on the floor.

The complainant was rushed to hospital for treatment. Ndebele was later referred for psychiatric evaluation, and a medical report confirmed he was mentally ill at the time of the attack.