Inmate head-butts prison officer

A PRISON officer momentarily passed out after being head-butted by an inmate at Khami Maximum Prison, a court heard yesterday.

Jabulani Ndebele, 24, appeared before Western commonage magistrate Themba Chimiso charged with assault.

Mitchelle Chiboiwa, prosecuting, said on May 18 at around 3PM at Khami Maximum Prison Hall A, Ndebele head-butted Edmore Njanyeni, a prison officer, on the mouth after he had ordered him not to skip the queue during feeding time.

Njanyeni told the court that when Ndebele assaulted him, he was hurt to the extent that he "saw darkness in the afternoon".

"I saw stars. I woke up to find myself in another room and I don't even know how I got there. I went to the hospital and got five stitches on my lips," he said.

Ndebele pleaded not guilty, telling the court he acted in self defence.

"I head-butted him after he grabbed me by the collar and slapped me. I did it so that I could break loose because he was hurting me," said Ndebele.

Chiboiwa said Nyajeni sustained injuries and a medical report could be produced as evidence.

Ndebele was returned to Khami Remand Prison. The trial continues on June 26.