FIVE villagers from Ensangu village in Matabeleland South allegedly assaulted their neighbour accusing him of spreading false rumours about the HIV status of one of them.
Netiwe Ncube (20), Dumezweni Moyo (35), Sukoluhle Dakamela(28), Mungombe Hlengiwe (32) and Fortune Charvie (21) appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Maxwell Ncube on Wednesday.
Ncube, Moyo and Dakamela pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 12 months in jail each.
Two months of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining 10 months were committed to 320 hours of community service.
Mungombe and Charvie were remanded in custody until September 23 after they pleaded not guilty.