$1-in-pocket man angers mugger, beaten

FATE dealt a Gweru petrol attendant a bitter blow after he was headbutted and seriously injured by a mugger who was apparently infuriated after discovering that his victim had only a $1 in his pockets.

The petrol attendant, Mr Thomas Hove, was attacked while walking home at night after knocking off late.

He sustained a deep cut on the lower-lip as a result.

Mr Hove was walking along a footpath on his way to his place of residence in Mtapa high density suburb when he was waylaid.

He told Chronicle: "I was a few metres away from home when I was roughly grabbed by a man from behind who asked me where I was coming from at such a late hour. The man was armed with a metal bar and he demanded cash."

Mr Hove, who said he indicated to the suspect that he only had a dollar in his pocket, received six stitches after sustaining a torn lower lip after the assault.

Apparently, the suspect was not amused by Mr Hove's financial standing and pounced on him.

"The suspect showed his disappointment by groaning after he learnt that I had no significant amount of cash with me. He then headbutted me and fled the scene.

I was picked up by some Good Samaritans who rushed to the scene after they heard me screaming," Mr Hove said.

"I lay helplessly on the ground when people arrived on the scene but the suspect had fled."

Mr Hove said he was admitted at Gweru Provincial Hospital for some days receiving treatment following the assault.

He reported the attack to Mtapa Police Station, but the suspect was still at large.