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Harare Bureau
A Harare magistrate yesterday told former Caps United skipper Method Mwanjali that the withdrawal of his attempted murder and assault charges was not a licence to commit crimes and warned him to stay away from criminal conduct.

Regional magistrate Noel Mupeiwa made the remarks in the case in which the complainant in the assault charge, Tonderai Nhunzvi withdrew charges against the footballer.

Nhunzvi said Mwanjali paid his medical bills hence he had forgiven him.

“All charges against you have been withdrawn meaning you are now a free man but this isn’t a licence for you to continue committing offences if indeed you committed the offences,” said Mupeiwa.

He added: “Next time you’ll not be so lucky to get a complainant who would withdraw the charges.”

His teammate Archford Gutu, who was also appearing in court on allegations of malicious damage to property, is now a free man as well after the complainant, Tonderai Nhunzvi decided not to pursue his case.

In response Gutu also withdrew charges against him.

Gutu was accused of damaging Nhunzvi’s vehicle windscreen while Nhunzvi allegedly deflated Gutu’s vehicle tyres.

Allegations were that Mwanjali (33) stabbed Nhunzvi with a knife on Independence Day following an altercation in the parking lot at Longcheng Plaza in Belvedere, Harare.

The State alleged that the two met at an intersection in the complex, where their vehicles almost collided, leading to a heated exchange of words and the stabbing.

Gutu, who was driving, allegedly got out of the vehicle and charged towards Nhunzvi, who had three passengers.

He accused Nhunzvi of reckless driving. The misunderstanding degenerated into a fistfight with Gutu, smashing the windscreen of the vehicle which Nhunzvi was driving.

Mwanjali allegedly joined in the fracas and drew a knife and reportedly stabbed Nhunzvi in the stomach.

Nhunzvi’s friend, Lionel Muchena tried to stop Mwanjali, but was also left injured.

In retaliation, Nhunzvi reportedly deflated Gutu’s vehicle tyres.

Tinashe Kanyemba-Makiya prosecuted while Tinofara Hove acted on behalf of Mwanjali and Gutu.