News / Regional
'Uncircumcised' man lost 6 teeth at circumcision ceremony
18 Sep 2014 at 09:13hrs | Views
AN "uncircumcised" Mbembesi man lost six front teeth after attending a circumcision ceremony in violation of the Xhosa cultural tradition that only those that have been circumcised can attend.
Ndumiso Hadebe was allegedly attacked by his neighbour, Vusa Mthambo, who was guarding the shrine in Mantanjeni Village where the Xhosa clan was holding the Umguyu ceremony.
Yesterday, Mthambo appeared before magistrate Sheunesu Matoba charged with assault over the incident that occurred last month.
Mthambo, who pleaded not guilty, told the court that Hadebe was wrong in roaming around the homestead where the ceremony was being held when he knew that tradition did not allow him to be present. "I was surprised when I was approached by Ndumiso the next morning demanding his six teeth from me. I didn't assault him, neither did I take his teeth. I didn't see him that night and he wasn't supposed to attend the ceremony because he's still an inkwekwe (an uncircumcised young man)," said Mthambo.
He also told the court that the ceremony was attended by dozens of men on August 8 from the village and it was unfair for Hadebe to pick him out from all the men who were inside the homestead.
"I was hired to maintain order and there was no report of assault or violence during the ceremony. I did drink but I was sober the whole night. Hadebe is making all this up, I'm not guilty of the offence."
One of the state witnesses told the court that Mthambo had admitted attacking Hadebe and offered him money to get artificial teeth.
Magistrate Matoba granted Mthambo $50 bail. He is expected to appear in court on September 24 for continuation of trial.
David Mangwiro, for the state, said on August 8 this year, both men were in attendance at the male circumcision ceremony. At around 4AM the following day, Mthambo allegedly followed Hadebe on his way home and struck him with a knobkerrie once in the face and several times all over the body for no apparent reason.
Hadebe lost six front teeth. He was treated at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.
Ndumiso Hadebe was allegedly attacked by his neighbour, Vusa Mthambo, who was guarding the shrine in Mantanjeni Village where the Xhosa clan was holding the Umguyu ceremony.
Yesterday, Mthambo appeared before magistrate Sheunesu Matoba charged with assault over the incident that occurred last month.
Mthambo, who pleaded not guilty, told the court that Hadebe was wrong in roaming around the homestead where the ceremony was being held when he knew that tradition did not allow him to be present. "I was surprised when I was approached by Ndumiso the next morning demanding his six teeth from me. I didn't assault him, neither did I take his teeth. I didn't see him that night and he wasn't supposed to attend the ceremony because he's still an inkwekwe (an uncircumcised young man)," said Mthambo.
He also told the court that the ceremony was attended by dozens of men on August 8 from the village and it was unfair for Hadebe to pick him out from all the men who were inside the homestead.
"I was hired to maintain order and there was no report of assault or violence during the ceremony. I did drink but I was sober the whole night. Hadebe is making all this up, I'm not guilty of the offence."
One of the state witnesses told the court that Mthambo had admitted attacking Hadebe and offered him money to get artificial teeth.
Magistrate Matoba granted Mthambo $50 bail. He is expected to appear in court on September 24 for continuation of trial.
David Mangwiro, for the state, said on August 8 this year, both men were in attendance at the male circumcision ceremony. At around 4AM the following day, Mthambo allegedly followed Hadebe on his way home and struck him with a knobkerrie once in the face and several times all over the body for no apparent reason.
Hadebe lost six front teeth. He was treated at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.
Source - chronicle
