Two men jailed for public violence

TWO Bulawayo men who ran amok and assaulted several patrons at a bar in Emganwini recently have been slapped with an effective six months sentence.

The incident occurred on April 13.

Trust Moyo and Conwell Ndlovu of Emganwini yesterday appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Themba Chimiso facing charges of public violence.

Chimiso sentenced them to nine months in prison, suspending three on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecuting, Whatmore Tembo said the duo used a knobkerrie and stones to assault people who were at Didizela Sports Bar at around 7PM on the day.

"Moyo and Ndlovu used a knobkerrie and stones to assault people who were drinking at the bar. They hurled insults at Sifelani Dube who also sustained injuries from the assault. They also threatened to rape her after she tried to disarm them," he said.

Tembo said the accused injured a lot of people at the bar but only three needed medical attention.

"Many people were violated and beaten up by the duo but only three namely Sifelani Dube, Welcome Moyo and Xolani Sibanda sustained worse injuries and medical records could be produced as proof," said Tembo.

In mitigation the duo pleaded guilty to the charges that were laid against them but claimed they were under the influence of alcohol when they went on the rampage.

"We know what we did was wrong but we were under the influence of alcohol and we didn't know we were hurting people," one of them said.