Four tenants have appeared before the courts facing attempted murder charges after they allegedly assaulted their landlady and fellow tenants over a rental fees disagreement.
Trust Zivei (25), his wife Lorraine Zivanai (22), his brother Desmond Zivei (25), and their friend Tafadzwa Chivizhe (22) were freed on $5 000 bail each when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga.
The two complainants are Wazir Suhyz Ahmed, a pensioner and his son Shakira Ahmed who are tenants and stay in a cottage at a house owned by Olga Bhatti.
The State alleges that on July 30, at around 6.30 am, Bhatti had an altercation over rent deposit with her tenants, Trust and his wife Zivanai.
Desmond and Chivizhe, who stay in the same location were called during the dispute. Bhatti then called Ahmed and his son after the accused persons turned violent.
The court heard that the complainants proceeded to the main house where Bhatti stays and witnessed the accused persons harassing the landlady.
Ahmed and his son allegedly tried to convince the accused not to harass the landlady but the accused persons threatened to assault the complainants.
The State alleges that the complainants sought refuge in the main house but the accused persons broke the door and got inside.
While in the house, the accused persons took some garden tools which they found in the house and used them to assault the complainants.
They allegedly took a shovel and hit the first complainant on the left leg while the second complainant was hit several times with a mattock handle on the head.
The police were called and arrested the four.
More: The Herald