Brothers in court over doctor assault

Two brothers from Bulawayo have appeared in court following a viral video allegedly showing them violently assaulting a medical doctor at a local leisure spot.

Prince Mugwagwa (26) and Nigel Mugwagwa (32), both from Nketa suburb, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Barbra Phiri on Saturday facing assault charges.

The pair were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody. They are expected to appear at the Bulawayo Regional Court on Monday, where the State intends to upgrade the charges to attempted murder.

The brothers are being represented by Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Law Firm.

Prosecutor Milton Moyo told the court that the incident occurred at Cotton Kraal Bar, located at Bradfield Shopping Centre, where the accused allegedly had a dispute with the complainant, Mkhonzeni Sibanda (40).

According to the State, the altercation escalated into violence, with Prince allegedly grabbing Sibanda by the collar and punching him repeatedly, while Nigel joined in the attack.

"They had a misunderstanding over an undisclosed issue. In the midst of that, Prince grabbed the complainant by the collar and rained fists on him. They kicked him all over the body with booted feet. The Mugwagwa brothers were joined by two other unidentified men who are on the run in punching and kicking him," Moyo said.

The injured doctor was rushed to hospital for treatment, and a medical report is expected to be presented in court as evidence.

Police are reportedly still searching for the two unidentified suspects who allegedly participated in the assault.