Visually Impaired Man Attacker Pleads Guilty to Assault

Gweru - Blessing Gerald Ngaya (30), the man who brutally attacked attacked a visually impaired elderly man and his adult daughter at their home in Mtapa on New Year’s Day appeared before the Gweru Magistrates Courts, pleaded guilty to assault but denied the other two charges 

Ngaya was facing assault, unlawful entry and theft charges.

Prosecutors told the court that the incident occurred on January 1, 2025, at around 12:30am at the complainants’ home.

The elderly victim, Moses Magazeni (66) was in the company of his daughter, Lydia Magazeni (36), when a dispute allegedly arose after the complainant’s children set off firecrackers.

Ngaya is accused of grabbing Lydia Magazeni by the collar, pushing her to the ground and punching her on the cheek.

He allegedly left the scene before returning armed with an iron bar and striking her on the hand.

When Moses intervened, Ngaya reportedly head-butted him on the nose and repeatedly punched him in the face.

After the victims fled, Ngaya allegedly forced entry into the house by breaking down the door with the iron bar and stole US$700 in cash and a Samsung M13 cellphone, bringing the total value of the stolen property to US$950.

The initial court appearance took place on January 2, 2026, before Magistrate Arnold Maburo. The matter was remanded to a later date in January for trial.