Highlanders’ midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa, who was facing charges of stabbing a soldier following a brawl at a social soccer match in Mpopoma last October, heaved a sigh of relief after the charges were withdrawn before plea.
Maphosa was set free last Thursday after an out-of-court settlement with the complainant, Isaac Mazambane, who later tendered an affidavit before Bulawayo magistrate Richard Ramaboea at the Western Commonage Magistrates Court indicating his intention to withdraw the matter.
Ramaboea granted Mazambane’s application and pronounced Maphosa a free man.
Maphosa had not been asked to plead to attempted murder.
The Highlanders midfielder, who previously turned out for TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of Congo and FC Platinum, courted trouble with the police when he allegedly stabbed Mazambane in the abdomen.
Charges against him were that on October 9, the footballer drove to Kongo Beer Garden in Mpopoma where Mazambane and his friends were watching social soccer.
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Maphosa reportedly nearly knocked down a vendor with his car and he stopped and jumped off his vehicle. The former Warriors midfielder is said to have slapped the elderly man accusing him of blocking his car.
Mazambane, who is employed by the Zimbabwe National Army, questioned Maphosa’ behaviour and this did not go down well with the player.
Maphosa allegedly rushed to his car and came back armed with a knife. He allegedly stabbed Mazambane in the abdomen.
Maphosa fled from the scene as the crowd was baying for his blood.
Mazambane was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was admitted for three weeks after undergoing surgery.
Tatenda Dakwa appeared for the State.