A Binga man chewed off a chunk of his elder brother's tongue following a misunderstanding over beer.
Dumisani Mugande (28) of Jameson Mugande's homestead, Dzomvunde, Zimbabwe, was convicted of assault and sentenced to 12 months in prison when he appeared before provincial magistrate, Miss Lindiwe Maphosa.
Three months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.
For the State, Mr Tinomupeyi Mbiza said on 7 August at around 10pm, the complainant, Mochani Mugande, who is the accused's brother, was drinking beer with his uncle Simon Sibanda when Dumisani arrived and asked him for a dollar.
Mochani told Dumisani that the $2 he had earlier had been used and the accused got angry and left the homestead.
After a while, Mochani decided to retire and began to walk back home.
However, on his way Dumisani followed him and accused him of stealing his empty scud container.
Mochani then handed him the bottle he was carrying.
Dumisani in return gave him another empty scud container which he said was the complainant's and left.
Mochani proceeded with his journey but within a few minutes, the accused came back fuming with anger claiming that the scud container he had given the complainant was not his.
Mochani then asked the accused what it was that he really wanted from him.
This seemed to further infuriate Dumisani who grabbed Mochani by the neck and pushed him to the ground.
While on top of the complainant who was struggling to breathe and had his mouth open, Dumisani bit his tongue chewing off a piece.
Mochani, who was rescued by a passerby, sustained a deep cut on the tongue and lost a piece of it.
He made a report to the police leading to Dumisani's arrest.
Mochani was referred to hospital where a medical report was compiled.
In mitigation, Dumisani, who has a history of bullying, said he was not aware of what had gripped him, blaming his actions on evil spirits.
- Sundaynews
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