Njube man in court for machete attack on brother

IN a chilling case that proves even the proverb “blood is thicker than water” has its breaking point, a 24-year-old Bulawayo man has appeared in court for allegedly striking his older brother with a machete on the forehead following a dispute over a mango tree.

Owen Mloyi, of Njube suburb, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate, Jeconia Prince Ncube, facing a charge of physical abuse. He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to March 25.

The prosecutor, Cathrine Kuzu, told the court that the accused is the younger brother of the complainant, Bhekumuzi Sibanda (31).

The court heard that on March 9, 2026, at around 11AM, Sibanda warned Mloyi to stop cutting down a mango tree in the yard.

A misunderstanding ensued, resulting in the accused allegedly turning on the complainant and striking him once on the forehead with a machete.

Sibanda was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical attention and the matter was reported to the police leading to Mloyi’s arrest.