Man’s stomach ripped open over $1
By Sukulwenkosi Dube
PLUMTREE – An illegal gold panner ripped his colleague’s stomach open with a knife in a dispute over a $1.
Life Nyoni, 22, stabbed his friend Nkosinathi Teve, 25, for delaying in giving him back money he had borrowed to buy cigarettes.
Teve was rushed to Brunapeg District Hospital with his intestines protruding and because his condition was critical, he was immediately transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.
On Wednesday this week, Nyoni had a brief standoff with police officers as he wrestled them, refusing to be arrested over the crime he committed two weeks ago.
The officers caught up with him when he was allegedly fleeing to neighbouring Botswana.
Nyoni yesterday appeared before Plumtree magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa facing attempted murder charges.
He was remanded in custody to October 9.
The state opposed bail pointing out that Nyoni was a flight risk because he resisted arrest and was already planning to skip the country.
The court heard that Nyoni went to his friend’s home on September 14 to demand a dollar that he had lent him.
A misunderstanding arose after Teve seemed unwilling to pay him.
Prosecuting, Clemence Shamuyarira said Nyoni drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed his friend on the stomach, ripping it open and leaving his intestines protruding.
He added that Nyoni was arrested on Wednesday while trying to flee to Botswana.
“On September 14 around 10AM, Nyoni approached the complainant while they were at work and requested him to accompany him to Old Bush Stick Stamp Mill. On the way he reminded the complainant about $1 which he had borrowed to buy cigarettes,” said Shamuyarira.
“The complainant dismissed Nyoni jokingly saying that he would not pay him back such a small amount of money. A misunderstanding arose and they started fighting.”
Nyoni allegedly fled from the scene when he realised his friend was seriously hurt.
Teve managed to drag himself to a nearby homestead where villagers took him to Brunapeg Hospital. Chronicle
