Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe said the alleged assault occurred at a bottle store at Ndiweni Shopping Centre in Bulilima District.
“It is reported that the chief and other people were drinking beer at a bottle store last Saturday when they had a misunderstanding.
“Chief Mpini reportedly attacked the complainant with an empty beer bottle while he was in the company of two other men. The complainant was referred to hospital for medication,” said the police spokesperson.
He said the police were yet to determine whether or not to prosecute the chief.
“We as police want to reiterate that no one is above the law. This is least expected from a person of his stature. He is expected to give advice to his subjects on how they are supposed to behave and lead by example,” said Insp Dzirutwe.
The incident comes in the wake of reports that some villagers are now afraid to frequent the bottle store in question as each time they are there the traditional leader becomes confrontational.
The next thing that happens is that the villagers find themselves being summoned to the Chief’s Court where they claim they are not given a fair trial as they are not given a chance to give their defence.
On 2 May this year, a villager, Mr Foni Dube, was summoned to the court on allegations of having insulted the chief at the bottle store and was made to pay two goats.
A villager who witnessed what had happened between Chief Mpini and Mr Dube and spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said it was unfair for the chief to use his position to victimise his subjects.
The villagers say the chief needs to change his behaviour if he is to earn respect from the people he leads.
Contacted for comment on the allegations of victimisation, the district administrator for Bulilima District, Mrs Ethel Moyo, said she had not received any such reports.
“If people bring such complaints to my office I will definitely look into them. So far we have not had any report,” she said.