Man fined $30 000 for assault

A man was last week fined $30 000 for assaulting a tenant, accusing him of not cleaning the yard.

Hastings Chada (30) from Chipinge’s medium density area appeared before magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi facing assault charges last Saturday and was convicted on his own guilty plea.

Chada visited his relative’s house where the complainant, Kudakwashe Rusemwa resides as a tenant on January 12 and a misunderstanding ensued over a cleaning of the yard dispute.

Rusemwa blamed other tenants for not cleaning the yard, but Chada could not entertain the excuse.

Chada head-butted Rusemwa twice on the left cheek and once on the mouth, before slapping the complainant once on the mouth.

The complainant lost a tooth as a result of the assault.

Chada left and Rusemwa made a report to the police.

A manhunt was launched and Chada was arrested by police officers who were enforcing lockdown restriction measures in the town.

Mrs Hanzi fined Chada $30 000 which should be paid before February 16, failure to do so will result in him being jailed for two months. Meanwhile, two soldiers who assaulted a police officer at a shopping centre while on duty enforcing lockdown regulations were granted bail last Saturday. The duo — Milicent Ndebvu (30) and Mike Nyabote(36) stationed at 3.3 Infantry Brigade Reserve Battalion were ordered to deposit $1 000 bail each and the matter was remanded to February 15 for trial.

Mrs Hanzi ordered the duo not to interfere with State witnesses and continue residing at their given addresses.

Mrs Portia Matereke prosecuted.