Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Court Writer
A WOMAN and two men appeared separately in court facing attempted murder charges after she allegedly stabbed her lover with a broken beer bottle, leaving him lying in a pool of blood, while the two men allegedly teamed up with residents to attack another man, accusing him of stealing their cellphone.
For the offence, Monalisa Phiri (30) appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira, facing an attempted murder charge.
She was not asked to plead and was only required to confirm the allegations against her. Mr Dzira advised her that it was her legal right to apply for bail at the Bulawayo High Court and to seek the services of a lawyer.
Phiri was remanded in custody until 19 January 2026 for commencement of trial. Representing the State, Ms Mufaro Ndirayire told the court that Phiri arrived at her family homestead shortly after 8PM and found her lover, Mpumelelo Mpofu (33), involved in an argument with her aunt.
“She fumed at her lover and reached for a beer bottle, which she used to hit him severely on the head.
The bottle broke into pieces, and she used the broken piece to stab him,” she said.
“He sustained injuries to the head and stomach, bled profusely and collapsed in a pool of blood,” said Ms Ndirayire.
After committing the offence, Phiri fled and went into hiding. The incident was reported to the police, who launched a manhunt leading to her arrest in another village.
In a related incident, Jabulani Moyo and Thulani Muza appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira, facing attempted murder charges.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were in custody until 19 January 2026 for the commencement of trial.
Prosecuting, Ms Ndirayire told the court that Moyo and Muza confronted Thulani Ncube, accusing him of having stolen Moyo’s cellphone while they were drinking beer at a shebeen in Makokoba suburb.
“They were armed with sticks and an iron rod, which they used to assault him all over the body, demanding the cellphone. While they were assaulting him, a group of residents joined in and kicked and punched Ncube. Ncube suffered serious injuries and was left half-dead. They fled the scene, leaving him lying on the ground,” said Ms Ndirayire.
A well-wisher intervened and ferried Ncube to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical attention. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused persons.
Bongani Ndlovu