Neighbour Assaulted With Iron Bar Over Beer Dispute

 

A 49-year-old Harare man was dragged before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Monday after he allegedly struck his neighbour once on the leg with an iron bar following a verbal altercation at a local shebeen.

Lastion Matiza appeared before a Harare magistrate facing a charge of assault.

The court heard that at around 5pm on September 6, 2026, Matiza and the complainant were drinking beer together at a shebeen in their neighbourhood.

A misunderstanding arose after Matiza allegedly began provoking the complainant, telling him, “You are very young, you cannot beat me.”

Tensions escalated and Matiza allegedly picked up an iron bar and struck the complainant once on the right leg, just below the knee, causing an injury.

Following the assault, Matiza allegedly attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by members of the public who had witnessed the incident.

He was handed over to the police and taken to the police station.

The injured complainant was referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where he is still receiving medical attention after doctors diagnosed him with a fractured leg.

Matiza is expected back in court today for his next remand.