HARARE - A Harare man is lucky to be alive after his Chinese employer assaulted and fired gunshots at him as he tried to negotiate for terminal benefits following an unfair dismissal, the court heard.

Xiaoming Li, 38, allegedly assaulted Lloyd Joel with a broomstick and a wooden board before firing shots at him.

Li yesterday appeared before magistrate Anita Tshuma facing charges of assault and discharging a firearm in a public place.

The court heard Joel went to collect his terminal benefits from Li last weekend after he was fired under unclear circumstances.

At the shop, Joel met Li’s younger brother, Yang Jan, who told him that Li was not around, the court heard.

Jan refused to budge to Joel’s demand for terminal benefits resulting in Joel refusing to leave the shop without his money.

Jan allegedly went out of the shop and returned with Li, who proceeded to his office at the back of the shop before ordering Joel to leave his shop.

The court heard Li proceeded to assault Joel with a broomstick until it was broken, took a wooden board and continued with the assault.

After realising that Joel was adamant, Li took a pistol and charged towards his former employee before firing two shots in the air.

Joel ran out of the shop and Li chased him before firing another shot. Joel filed a police report leading to Li’s arrest. - Ivan Zhakata