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Nyaradzo Bakari Chronicle Reporter
A BULAWAYO woman and her daughter have each been fined $300 for teaming up to assault a neighbour over a garbage sack they allegedly left in her yard. Latti Sibanda (50) and her daughter Sandisiwe Sibanda (18) appeared before Western Commonage Magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube yesterday facing assault charges.

They both pleaded guilty and Mr Ncube sentenced each of them to twelve months imprisonment.

Six months were suspended from each on condition that they do not commit a similar offence. The other six months were suspended on condition that each pays $300 fine.

“The court has considered that accused one (Sibanda) is of ill-health hence community service would be a burden to the institution as she will not be able to work efficiently. We also consider that accused two (Sandisiwe) needs to pursue her studies, so community service will mean suspending those studies,” said the magistrate.

“However, the complainant sustained severe injuries, which may result in permanent disability. Therefore, I will sentence you to six months imprisonment, which I will suspend on condition that you do not commit a similar offence in five years. You will both be required to pay a fine of $300 each or serve six months imprisonment.”

A medical report presented in court showed that the complainant Ms Blessed Dube sustained serious injuries on the forehead, knee and armpit.

Sibanda said she was defending her daughter who was being attacked by Dube.

“I was only saving my child from her because she had put two of her fingers in my daughter’s nostrils and she could not breathe. I could not have managed to stop her from killing my daughter with my bare hands as she was powerful, so I used a digger,” said Sibanda.

Prosecuting, Ms Margaret Takawira said Sibanda and Sandisiwe assaulted Dube over a sack of garbage. “On July 13 in New Magwegwe, the complainant, Blessed Dube confronted the accused about a garbage sack they left lying in her yard,” said Ms Takawira.

“Both accused went away and left the complainant, only to come back a few minutes later and assaulted her with a digger.”

Sandisiwe told the court that she and her mother only went to Dube’s house to resolve their dispute.

“I did not intend to fight the woman, we only went to her house to have a friendly conversation with her and resolve the dispute we had earlier on,” said Sandisiwe.

“However, she pushed me to the ground so I had to retaliate. She proved too powerful and blocked my nostrils with her fingers that’s when my mother intervened and hit her with a digger that was in the garden.”—@NyarieBakie