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Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
A MAN from Masvingo has been jailed for eight months for assaulting a lawyer who had made an application for his client in a bid to overturn a $7 000 default judgment that his attacker’s female relative had won in a civil matter involving her boyfriend.

Tawanda Munyai (35) of Mucheke Suburb assaulted Mr Tichaona Bhunu (34) of Bhunu and Associates after he had applied for rescission of a default judgement on behalf of his client.

Appearing before Masvingo provincial magistrate Mr Langton Ndokera last Monday, Munyai was convicted on his own plea of guilty to assault charges and sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Mr Ndokera, however, suspended two months for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Passing sentence, Mr Ndokera said the accused person was a daring offender who could assault a legal practitioner within the court premises.

He said the court would not be lenient with people who interfere with the course of justice by assaulting law officers.

“You are such a daring offender who chose to commit a crime within the court. Lawyers, as learned colleagues, deserve the public’s respect but you ignored that and assaulted him. If you are not happy with what transpires in a court of law, you seek recourse through the same court processes and not take the law into your own hands. The court will not show any lenience on you because you have exhibited deplorable behaviour of disrespecting the laws of the land on a matter that you are not directly involved,” said Mr Ndokera.

For the State, Mr Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa said last Friday at around 1 PM, Mr Bhunu of Bhunu and Associates was coming out of Court 2 at Masvingo Magistrates Court after representing his client, Patrick Mutasa (24) of Mucheke Suburb who was being sued for breaching a contract to marry and seduction.

Mr Bhunu had applied for rescission of a default judgement which had seen Ms Ngonidzashe Marowedze (21) of Mucheke suburb being awarded       $7 000.

“When the court adjourned Mr Bhunu made his way out of the court room. Munyai who is related to Ms Marowedze and was in the court gallery but not part of the proceedings stood by the door of Court 2 and accused Mr Bhunu of attempting to overturn the judgment,” said Mr Nyamukondiwa.

He said Munyai kicked Mr Bhunu and hit him several times in the face while pulling his neck tie.

Munyai was subsequently arrested.

— @walterbmswazie3.