The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
A VILLAGE head from Bulilima District will perform 105 hours of community service for assaulting another village head from a neighbouring community for rebuking his shameful demand for more food at a community function.
The Oliver Twist moment came when 77-year-old Manyika Tshuma flew into rage and attacked 61-year-old Mr Albert Nyathi who had rebuked him for seeking more food at a function that was held recently within their community.
Tshuma who is the head of Mangubo Village was convicted on his own plea of guilty to assault by Plumtree magistrate, Mr Gideon Ruvetsa.
He was sentenced to seven months in prison but four months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Three months were further suspended on condition he performs 105 hours of community service at Mangubo Primary School.
Prosecuting, Mrs Rose Sibanda said Tshuma kicked Mr Nyathi several times until he suffered a fracture on his left lower limb.
The State’s case is that on 30 July around 6pm Tshuma was drinking beer with Mr Nyathi and other village elders. Mr Nyathi then asked him why he had gone to look for meat from the kitchen during a function that had been held within their village.
Mr Nyathi, the court heard, went on to rebuke Tshuma and described him as an embarrassment to the community of village heads. Mrs Sibanda further told the court that Tshuma flew into rage and kicked Mr Nyathi on the chest and he fell to the ground.
She said Tshuma continued to kick Mr Nyathi several times all over the body until other villagers intervened.
Mr Nyathi reported the matter to the police resulting in Tshuma’s arrest.
In his mitigation Tshuma told the court that he got angry as Mr Nyathi had disrespected him in front of other village heads and villagers.
“If he wanted to discuss the issue Your Worship, he should have talked to me in private and not to embarrass me publicly.
That is what pissed me off but it wasn’t my intention to harm him,” he said as he pleaded with the court for leniency.
