by Gideon Madzikatidze in Kezi
A sincere request for the village head’s whereabouts at funeral wake in Sigwaza village, (Kezi), left Maphaneni Ranch security officer, Kudakwashe Maparura nursing severe injuries from an assault incident by one of the mourners, Dereck Moyo.
This came to light when Matebeleland South Provincial Magistrate Busani Sibanda slapped Moyo (offender) with a 20-months imprisonment sentence for assaulting Maparura (complainant).
Moyo was convicted of contravening section 89(1) of the criminal law codification and reform act chapter 09:23, (Assault).
Sibanda suspended 10 months for 5 years on condition during the period the offender does not commit any offense of the same nature for which upon conviction, he is sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The remaining 10 months imprisonment was further suspended on condition the offender performs 350 hours community service at Manyane Primary school.
Court heard that on July 12 of 2025 around 12:00 hours, Maparura, (the complainant), arrived at a funeral in Sigwaza village and parked his vehicle adjacent to the gathering with the intention to meet the village head.
Moyo (the offender) then approached Maparura and hit him once both on face and chest (respectively) using clenched fists before the complainant disembarked from the parked vehicle.
The complainant walked away from the funeral and proceeded to report the matter to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest.
The complainant was referred to hospital for treatment where a medical report had been compiled and was produced in court as exhibit.