Danisa Masuku
A BULAWAYO man was severely assaulted and subsequently lost his teeth after asking a fellow vendor what happened to cabbage leaves that he left at a vending bay to run errands.
Lewis Ngwenya and Kwanele Ndlovu both run vending stalls at a vegetable market along George Silundika Street and Sixth Avenue.
Ngwenya is said to have asked Ndlovu to check on his vegetable bay while he attended to personal business.
On his return Ngwenya allegedly discovered that cabbage leaves, that he intended to use as stock feed, had disappeared.
Ndlovu allegedly turned violent when asked on the whereabouts of the cabbage leaves.
An argument ensued and de-generated into a fist fight.
Ndlovu is alleged to have overpowered his rival before repeatedly smashing Ngwenya’s head against a push cart.
The complainant lost five teeth.
He reported the matter at Bulawayo Central Police Station leading to Ndlovu’s arrest
“When I asked him why he took my cabbage leaves meant for stock feed, he charged at me and smashed my head against a push cart. He also punched me several times in the face and as a result I Iost five teeth,” Ngwenya told magistrate Ulukile Mlea-Ndlovu at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court while answering to assault charges.
In his defence Ndlovu said: “He got injured while we were fighting. I was trying to defend myself because the complainant was the first to assault me with fists and I retaliated in self defence.”
A medical report will be produced in court as an exhibit.
The defendant was remanded out of custody to next week on Monday.
