By Judith Sibanda
Two Victoria Falls men who were facing charges of assaulting with bricks on the head, a 19-year-old beer patron after spilling beer on them, have each been handed nine-month jail terms.
Doubt Masuku (29) and Passmore Ncube (23) both from BH 18 under chief Mvuthu allegedly assaulted Zibusiso Kashiri whom they accused of being disrespectful.
They were convicted on their own plea of guilt by Victoria Falls resident magistrate Rangarirai Gakanje.
It was the state’ case presented by Onias Nyathi that on December 26, last year, at around 4 am Zibusiso Kashiri of Chinotimba suburb was leaving Highway Bar in Lupinyu and upon exit, he hit a cup of beer carried by an unknown patron and it split to the two accused.
A misunderstanding arose between the duo and the other co-accused Innocent Muzamba and Innocent Mathe still at large, who ganged up against the complainant.
The four started to beat the complainant multiple times with clenched fists and open hands accusing him of being disrespectful.
As the attack continued Masuku and Ncube went outside and picked several bricks then struck Kashiri on his head and forehead several times until he lost consciousness.
Upon realising that he was no longer responsive, they fled the scene until they were arrested a few days later.
Kashiri was taken to Victoria Falls Hospital where he has been admitted and still receiving medical treatment.
In mitigation, Masuku told the court that he had committed the offence under the influence of alcohol as they had been binging non-stop since Christmas day.
Of the nine months, Gakanje suspended three months for five years on condition that they do not commit a similar offence.
Also appearing before the same magistrate Thursday, was a 42-year-old Aerodrome man in Victoria Falls accused of attempting to steal building materials at Shanduka Hardware on Monday night.
Fungai Sibanda allegedly entered Tichaona Gwimbi’s hardware at around 9 pm, through a locked door and stole a shovel, 3 electric cables,18 lockset, and 2 builders twine and was spotted by Jeffery Dube who was sleeping in the next room.
The value of the stolen goods was RTGs 8000- 00 and were all recovered upon his arrest.
He will serve an effective eight months behind bars after four months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
