A mediator, at the alternative dispute resolution unit at Alex Magistrates’ Court, tasked with brokering a truce between two female associates after one of them bit off the other’s finger, referred the matter back to court for adjudication due to the severity of the injury.
The injured victim rented a room to the associate’s brother and was having a problem with him for not paying rent on time. When the associate visited her at night on 4 March, they, with other friends, were talking while seated around a table when the victim told the associate of the problem she was having with her brother.
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The associate allegedly told her to evict the brother but shortly after, she changed her tune and accused the victim of disrespecting her. Without warning, she allegedly grabbed the victim’s hand and bit off the lower part of her ring finger and spit the dismembered piece onto the floor. The piece, still alive, bounced around until it landed up under a sofa.
When the victim berated the associate for causing her grievous bodily harm, she allegedly urged her to report the incident and vowed that she wouldn’t be arrested.
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When the victim was taken to a hospital, the associate went to the police station and allegedly laid a charge against the victim for assault. A day later, the victim was temporarily released from hospital so that she could report the incident at the Alex Police Station, resulting in the arrest of the accused. She was later released on bail.
The victim spent nine days undergoing treatment at Rand Clinic.
The accused appeared in court on 28 March and the case was postponed to 26 April for plea and trial.
