By Netshakhuma Muleya
A 34-year-old Beitbridge man has been sentenced to an effective eight months in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting another man during a dispute over money at Dulibadzimu shops.
Philip Moyo, who is married with three children, appeared before Beitbridge Magistrate Gillian Pakadzashamba facing a single count of assault.
He admitted to attacking Ronald Maphosa on November 1, 2026.
Pakadzashamba sentenced Moyo to 12 months in prison, suspending four months on condition that he performs community service at the Dulibadzimu Police Base.
According to state papers, the incident occurred while Moyo and Maphosa were seated at Dulibadzimu shops.
A misunderstanding broke out between the two over Maphosa’s involvement in handing money to a shopkeeper, prompting Moyo to attack him.
During the trial, Moyo pleaded guilty to the charge and raised no objections to the facts presented by the state.
“Yes, I beat him, but I am not sure which hand got injured during the dispute,” Moyo told the court.
When questioned by the court on whether he had considered the risk of causing serious harm, Moyo cited anger as the trigger for the attack.
“I was not thinking of such during the attack due to the anger and misunderstanding we were having,” he said.
A medical report compiled by Dr. Chagonda’ on November 5 confirmed that Maphosa sustained an internal injury to his left hand after being struck repeatedly.