The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 34-YEAR-OLD man collapsed after his friend struck him with a knobkerrie on the head in a dispute over beer during a drinking spree.
Brighton Ndlovu (29) of Sundowns area in Bulilima appeared on initial remand before Plumtree magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa facing an attempted murder charge. Ndlovu was remanded in custody to 13 July.
He committed the offence on 4 June and fled to Zambia but was arrested recently.
His victim, Smart Mkhwebu, who is also from Sundowns area, was admitted to hospital after sustaining a depressed skull fracture.
Prosecuting, Ms Jane Phiri said Ndlovu ambushed Mkhwebu as he was going to his homestead around 8pm on 4 June and struck him with a knobkerrie.
“On 4 June Mkhwebu was at a neighbour’s homestead where he was drinking beer with Ndlovu and other locals as a group of friends. While they were drinking Ndlovu asked for some beer from Mkhwebu who refused after noting that he had exceeded his share of beer,” said Ms Phiri.
She said this angered Ndlovu who went on to accuse Mkhwebu of dictating over beer which they had all contributed to buy.
Ms Phiri said the misunderstanding worsened which forced Mkhwebu to leave the beer and go to his homestead.
“Ndlovu followed armed with a knobkerrie and when he caught up with Mkhwebu he struck him once on the forehead causing him to fall to the ground unconscious,” said Ms Phiri.
She said villagers came to the aid of Ndlovu and they ferried him to Plumtree District Hospital while he was still unconscious. Ndlovu regained consciousness when he had been admitted to the hospital and the matter was reported to the police.
In another incident a 34-year-old man appeared before the same magistrate after he stabbed a villager during a drinking spree at Khame Bottle Store in Bulilima. Antony Ngwenya of Gonde area, however, denied having stabbed Eric Mpofu (24) when he was charged with assault. He was remanded in custody to 8 July for trial.
In his defence Ngwenya said he just drank beer at the bottle store and did not attack anyone.
Prosecuting, Mr Elisha Mazorodze said on 14 June Mpofu was drinking beer with his brothers.
“Mpofu heard noise outside and when he went to investigate he found Ngwenya holding his younger brother and making threats to beat him up. Mpofu tried to intervene and Ngwenya stabbed him once with an Okapi knife on the left side of the stomach near his ribs,” he said.
Mr Mazorodze said Ngwenya fled from the scene leaving behind Mpofu who was bleeding from the stab wound.
He said Mpofu was referred to hospital for treatment.
