A Bolt Cutter Bus Service conductor has been jailed for seven months after attacking a passenger who asked for a refund because the bus was overcrowded.
Ranjisi Andrew Manyati, 45, of Mutoko, pleaded guilty to assault and theft at the Mutoko Magistrates’ Court. Magistrate Panashe Matongo sentenced him to nine months in prison, with two months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. He will serve for an effective seven months.
The complainant was Jonathan Nyoni, 21.
The court heard the incident happened last Thursday at Domborembudzi Business Centre in Murehwa. A mushikashika driver had given Manyati US$20 belonging to Nyoni. The money was to pay bus fares for Nyoni and his friend, Chaseman Chikuti, who planned to travel to Mutoko. Manyati was meant to deduct the fare and return the change.
Trouble started when Nyoni boarded the Bolt Cutter bus and found it packed, with several passengers standing. He decided not to travel and asked for his money back.
Manyati refused to refund the US$20 and told the driver to leave. As Nyoni tried to get his money before the bus departed, an argument broke out.
Senior public prosecutor Simbarashe Samanyanga told the court that Manyati then attacked Nyoni. He punched and slapped him repeatedly in the face before wrestling him to the ground. While Nyoni was on the ground, Manyati kicked him in the face four times with booted feet.
Other bus crew members stepped in and restrained Manyati, ending the assault.
Nyoni reported the matter to the police. He was referred to Musami Hospital for treatment and a medical examination.
Manyati was later arrested and charged with theft for failing to return the money and with assault. He was convicted on his own guilty plea and jailed.
More: B-Metro
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