Man in Court for Assaulting Visually Impaired Senior Citizen
n By Dumisani Ndlovu n nn n Gweru - A Mtapa man has appeared before the Gweru Magistrates’ Court in connection with a violent New Year’s Day attack on a visually impaired elderly man and his daughter, Kwedu News can reveal. n nn n The case
anostrofy By Dumisani Ndlovu
Gweru - A Mtapa man has appeared before the Gweru Magistrates’ Court in connection with a violent New Year’s Day attack on a visually impaired elderly man and his daughter, Kwedu News can reveal.
The case has renewed calls for greater protection of persons with disabilities and older members of society.
The accused, 30-year-old Blessing Gerald Ngaya, is facing multiple charges stemming from the alleged assault on Moses Magazeni and his young daughter at their tuck-shop in the early hours of January 1, 2025.
Ngaya pleaded guilty to assault but denied charges of unlawful entry and theft.
Evidence presented in court reveals that the altercation occurred at around 12:30am following a dispute reportedly sparked by firecrackers allegedly set off by the visually impaired complainant’s children.
What began as a minor disagreement quickly escalated. The court heard that Ngaya allegedly grabbed Magazeni’s daughter by the collar, threw her to the ground and punched her on the cheek.
After briefly leaving the scene, he is said to have returned armed with an iron bar and struck her on the hand, inflicting further injuries.
Despite being visually impaired, Magazeni reportedly attempted to intervene and defend his daughter.
Instead, he allegedly became the target of further violence, with Ngaya head-butting him on the nose and repeatedly punching him in the face.
Magazeni later reported the incident to the police despite his injuries and disability.
The court further heard that after the complainants fled the tuck-shop in fear, Ngaya allegedly forced entry by breaking down the door with the iron bar.
Once inside, he is accused of stealing US$700 in cash and a Samsung M13 cellphone, bringing the total value of the allegedly stolen property to US$950.
None of the items have been recovered. The case has drawn concern from disability rights activists, who argue that the incident exposes the urgent need for stronger community awareness, inclusive policing strategies, and harsher penalties for crimes targeting persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Ngaya was granted US$150 bail after spending the weekend in custody.
He was ordered to report weekly to Mtapa Police Station and to refrain from interfering with State witnesses.
The matter was remanded to February 20, 2026, for a possible trial.
