adminEmily Mbewe Court Reporter
AN Insuza man allegedly stabbed his brother 12 times after the brother attempted to restrain him from fighting their neighbour.
Themba Maphosa, 43, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze facing an attempted murder charge. He is alleged to have stabbed his brother nine times in the back, twice in the head and once under the chin leaving him conscious.
Maphosa was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to March 25.
The State alleges that last Saturday at around 9PM, Maphosa had a misunderstanding with their neighbour Zenzo Khumalo after a beer binge.
His brother Khumbulani, intervened in an attempt to stop the fight and this angered Maphosa.
Later on that night, the court heard that Maphosa ambushed his brother in a nearby bush that leads to his homestead.
He was armed with a knife, axe and knobkerrie.
When Khumbulani appeared, Maphosa pounced on him and stabbed him nine times in the back, twice in the head and once under the chin.
Charles Danda, prosecuting said Khumalo who was nearby intervened and rescued Khumbulani.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Maphosa’s arrest.
Khumbulani was rushed to St Lukes Hospital.
Meanwhile, a Bulawayo man was yesterday sentenced to 526 hours community service for assaulting his brother with an iron rod and fists before attempting to stab him.
John Mwanga who assaulted his brother, Agreement, pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge before magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.
In passing sentence Msipa-Marondedze said the court had taken into account that the prison was not a good place for first offenders.
“You’re therefore sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, of which 6 months are suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
“The remaining 18 months are wholly suspended on condition you complete 526 hours of community service at ZRP Queens Park,” said Msipa-Marondedze. Prosecuting, Charles Danda told the court that on March 4 this year at around 8PM Mwanga, went to his brother’s house and told him he had found a tenant to occupy a free room in the house.
The court heard that Agreement asked Mwanga why he had leased the room without his knowledge.
“Mwanga was angered by this and started shouting at his brother accusing him of being disrespectful,” said Danda.
He said Mwanga hit his brother once on the mouth with a fist.
He then allegedly switched off the light and assaulted his brother with an iron rod once on his back.
“Mwanga then started chocking Agreement and pushed him against the wall while holding a knife on his hand,” said Danda.
The court heard that Agreement’s wife rescued her husband from further assault.
Online Reporter