Cops exchange blows over beer

TWO cops stationed at Kamativi Police Station in Matabeleland North recently caused a stir when they exchanged blows in front of shocked revellers at a local beer hall following a misunderstanding over booze.

Albert Hwatira (31) was not asked to plead when he appeared before provincial magistrate Portia Mhlanga facing a charge of assault.

Prosecuting, Tinomupeyi Mbiza said on August 26 at around 11pm, Munyaradzi Sibanda and Hwatira went on a beer-drinking spree at the local beer hall. Hwatira allegedly questioned Sibanda why he was drinking a Castle Lager pint arguing that it belonged to him because the spot they were drinking at did not sell that brand.

Sibanda explained to Hwatira that the Black Label pint he had bought was frozen and the barman exchanged it for a Castle Lager.

Hwatira then turned to the barman and accused him of giving his beer to Sibanda. When Sibanda intervened and tried to calm Hwatira down, he punched him several times on the face.

Sibanda bled profusely through the nose and sustained a swollen face as a result of the blows.

He made a report to police, leading to Hwatira's arrest. He was remanded out of custody to September 29 although Sibanda is understood to have withdrawn the charge saying he had since apologised.