Patron leaves bar lady for dead

A Chimanimani bar lady is battling for her life after a patron stabbed her with a knife over a US$1 change dispute last week on Saturday.

Ms Asther Manyange Uzizo (22) sustained deep cuts after she was stabbed on the right arm and once on the chest by Paul Masaiti.

Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident which happened at Ngangu Business Centre.

“Masaiti went to the bar to buy a quart of beer which was being sold for US$1,50. He tendered US$5,50 to Ms Uzizo and was expecting US$4 as his change, but the bar lady gave him US$3 instead.

“An altercation ensued between the two. Masaiti went outside and came back armed with an okapi knife. He stabbed Ms Uzizo once on the right arm and once on the left side of the chest. She sustained deep cuts. Masaiti was arrested soon after committing the crime,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

Meanwhile, a 37-year-old woman, Ms Betty Mhlanga, is lucky to be alive after she was heavily assaulted and stabbed on the head and on her arms with a knife by an unknown suspect for refusing to give him some money.

The incident happened in Munamba Village in Chipinge.

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Ms Mhlanga retired to bed in the company of her two kids, aged seven and three respectively.

“The suspect broke into the house around 11pm and strangled Ms Mhlanga in her sleep. As she woke up, the suspect demanded money from her. She said she did not have any money.

“The suspect assaulted Ms Mhlanga with a stick several times on her hands and legs. She then lied that she had hid some money outside. The accused tied her hands with a rope and force-marched her to the place she was referring to.

“After discovering that there was no money there, the suspect dragged Ms Mhlanga back into the house and stabbed her with a knife on the head and on her arms.

“Ms Mhlanga managed to untie herself and made a police report after the suspect had left,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.