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Melody Baya, Court Reporter
A MAN from Magwegwe suburb in Bulawayo who caused his friend to lose an eye after he struck him with an empty bottle, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Sikhumbuzo Jiyane, 36, and Evidence Mabetha, 31, of the same suburb, were fighting over a television remote control when the incident happened.

Jiyane allegedly struck Mabetha in a struggle to retain the gadget.

He appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Themba Chimiso facing an assault charge.

Jiyane pleaded not guilty but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.

Chimiso suspended six months from his initial 24 months sentence.

“Six months are suspended for the next five years on condition that you don’t commit a similar offence. You’re therefore going to serve an effective 18 months in prison,” said the magistrate.

Mabetha was admitted to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) after the attack.

“I begged him to give me the remote control so that I could change channels since I wanted to see the soccer results. He then assaulted me using a Coca-Cola bottle once on my left eye,” said Mabetha in a statement.

Prosecuting, Lilo Kagunde said on April 21 at around 3.30PM, Mabetha’s left eye was damaged in the attack.

“The accused person assaulted Mabetha with an empty Coca-Cola bottle on the left eye and the complainant sustained a ruptured eye. The complainant’s eye bled heavily and is swollen,” said Kagunde.