Man strikes friend with an axe, leaves it hanging in the head

A MAN from Nkayi allegedly axed his friend leaving the axe stuck in his victim's head following a misunderstanding over who was supposed to herd their cattle.

A court heard that Adam Ncube (20) and Mr Sipho Ndebele had an agreement to take turns to herd cattle, but a misunderstanding later arose over whose turn it was to herd the cattle.

Ncube then allegedly struck his friend and fled. Mr Ndebele was rescued by fellow villagers who rushed him to Zenka Clinic.

Ncube pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges when he appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.

The magistrate remanded him in custody to October 11 after Ncube asked to be served with State papers.

In a statement to police, Ncube said he attacked his friend with an axe after he refused to herd cattle when it was his turn.

Prosecuting, Ms Concilia Ncube said the incident occurred at around 10AM on April 10.

She said Ncube told Mr Ndebele that he was supposed to herd both their cattle for a week since he had done so when his friend was attending a funeral.

Ms Ncube said Mr Ndebele refused, leading to the attack.

"Ncube took an axe and hit Mr Ndebele on the head leaving the axe stuck in his head. He fled the scene leaving his friend lying on the ground," she said.

"Mr Ndebele sustained a deep cut on the head and was taken to Zenka clinic. He was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital."