Women fight over beer

Tendai Gukutikwa
WHAT started as a misunderstanding over spilt beer turned nasty when a Mutare woman was bitten on the cheek and right thumb by her friend.

Chipo Muparutsa (28) sustained two wounds, one on the right cheek and another on her right thumb after Mary Mutepfa (32) bit her.

Mutepfa, who is a mother of four, was convicted on her own guilty plea and fined $20, though failure to pay would see her being a Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services’ guest for 20 days.

Mutare magistrate Mr Langton Mukwengi presided over the case while Mr Brian Goto prosecuted.

The court heard that sometime last week, at TM Chikanga Business Centre, Mutepfa confronted Muparutsa claiming that she had spilled her beer. Muparutsa apologised, saying she had spilt the beer by mistake.

“The accused refused to accept the apology and attacked Muparutsa. She bit her on the cheek and on her right thumb. Muparutsa sustained injuries on the cheek and the thumb,” said Mr Goto.

Muparutsa’s cheek and thumb swelled, but she did not seek any medical attention.

Asked whether she knew that what she had done was unlawful, she admitted and begged the court for leniency.

“I erred, Your Worship. I do not know what had come over me,” she said.

The court was indeed lenient with her as it slapped her with a mere $20 fine. However, Mr Mukwengi had some parting words of warning for her.

“Never put the law into your own hands even if the other person has wronged you. Rather report to the police than risk being arrested yourself,” warned Mr Mukwengi.