Assaulted for meddling in friend's love life

A MAN has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) after his friend bashed him with a shovel. Khangelani Juba, 21, of Woondale in Umguza allegedly attacked fellow villager Boaz Sibindi, 34, accusing him of meddling in his love affair.

A court yesterday heard Juba went ballistic and struck his friend with a shovel on the forehead on April 14.

Juba appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Themba Chimiso facing an attempted murder charge.

Chimiso did not ask him to plead and remanded him in custody to May 6.

In a warned and cautioned statement Juba said Sibindi actually hit himself with the shovel.

"We were fighting for possession of the same shovel. He grabbed it and I let go. The force resulted in him hitting himself on the forehead," said Juba.

The court heard that the two friends had a misunderstanding over Juba's girlfriend at a beer drink.

Prosecuting, Steward Madzore, told the court that on April 14 at around 1AM Sibindi and Juba were coming from a beer hall when they quarrelled.

"The accused person was accusing the complainant of interfering in his love life. The accused person then struck the complainant on the forehead with a shovel and left him unconscious along a path which leads to his homestead," said Madzore.

"The complainant later regained consciousness and staggered home. The complainant's wife Ruth Ncube made a report to the police. Her husband was rushed to UBH (United Bulawayo Hospitals) for treatment."

The prosecutor said Sibindi is still admitted to UBH.