Beer brawl ends in gaol

 

 

Mike Mashiri- Court Correspondent 

A 39-year-old Nkayi man, Phumuza Ncube, has been jailed for 16 months — half of which were suspended — after assaulting a 65-year-old villager during a drunken altercation over beer.

The incident occurred on June 26, 2025, at Mpatshazwa Village under Chief Sikhobokhobo, where Ncube and the complainant, Gilbert Moyo, were drinking at Moyo’s homestead. According to court proceedings, tempers flared after Moyo reprimanded Ncube for throwing a tripod cooking stand, prompting Ncube to lash out violently.

He reportedly struck Moyo on the ribs with a log and pushed him onto a burning hearth, inflicting serious burns. The injured villager was rushed to Mbuma Mission Hospital for treatment, and the matter was reported to police, leading to Ncube’s swift arrest.

Ncube was initially charged with attempted murder, but the court convicted him of assault after considering mitigating circumstances. The magistrate suspended eight months of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.