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Amos Mpofu, [email protected]
A MAN from Cowdrypark suburb in Bulawayo has been sentenced to four years in prison for assaulting his wife’s brother, who lost his sight due to the injuries sustained during the beating.
The attack occurred after the man accused his brother in law of interfering in his marital affairs.

Makhosi Sibanda (43) appeared before Western Commonage Magistrate, Mr Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe, yesterday.

He was sentenced to 48 months in prison, with 8 months suspended due to his good behavior during the trial.

Sibanda will serve an effective 40 months in prison without an option for a fine or community service.

Mr Chikwekwe decided to suspend the options of a fine or community service considering the unprovoked nature of the assault and the severe impact on the victim.

The incident took place on 2 September. The victim had visited his sister’s place also resides. Later that day, Sibanda’s wife fled to her brother’s house after a serious argument with her husband.
Sibanda tracked his wife to her brother’s home and confronted the victim, accusing him of interfering in their relationship.

In the heat of the argument, the offender struck the victim twice on the head with a log.

According to court documents, the victim testified that he was so severely affected by the assault that he is now unable to turn his head due to pain and injury to the occipital lobe. He also reported that he can no longer work and his vision has deteriorated.

Mr Chikwekwe used this case to highlight the increasing number of assault cases in the western suburbs of Bulawayo.

“Cases of assault of this nature are on the rise in the western suburbs of Bulawayo. This was a senseless assault on the victim. The offender had a dispute with his wife, which had nothing to do with the victim. Issues could have been resolved without resorting to violence,” he said.