The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Weekender Correspondent
A MUTARE artiste who went berserk and attacked an engineer at Manicaland Provincial Heroes’ Acre on Heroes’ Day eve after power had been cut from his microphone was fined $50. Collen Mabika (29) of House Number 23A, Chisamba, Sakubva pleaded guilty to assault when he appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mrs Yeukai Chigodora last week. Mrs Chigodora sentenced him to 30 days imprisonment. He was, however, given an option to pay $50 fine.
Ms Tinashe Katsiru prosecuted. It was alleged that at around 3am, Jephta Zishiri, an engineer who was operating his public address system at the Manicaland Provincial Heroes’ Acre noticed that his two microphones were missing.
He immediately went to secure the remaining microphones. “When he went on to remove the remaining microphones, Mabika questioned his intentions since he was still performing. In a fit of rage he assaulted Zishiri,” said Ms Katsiru.
Zishiri sustained cuts on his upper lip. Responding to the allegations, Mabika said he had been angered because Zishiri had cut power and took the microphone from him in the middle of his performance.
“Your Worship, without even warning or notice, the complainant just cut off power and grabbed the microphone from me while I was in the middle of my performance. I also left my fans disappointed and clamouring for more, but I could not continue performing because the microphone was gone.
“My fans lost confidence in me. I attacked the engineer because he did not give me answers. All the same Your Worship, I beg for forgiveness from both him and the court as I erred. My anger got the worst out of me,” he begged for forgiveness.
