adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A MAN from Mangwe District appeared in court facing attempted murder charges after he stabbed a villager who had denied him free beer.Kiliboni Ngwenya, 32, of Chief Tshitshi area, allegedly slit open 27-year-old Mbulalisi Nyathi’s stomach with an Okapi knife, leaving some intestines protruding after the victim declined to share with him beer he was drinking with friends.
Ngwenya was apprehended by villagers who gave chase after he tried to flee from the scene. The villagers’ then force marched him to a nearby police station and he was arrested.
The attempted murder suspect appeared before Plumtree magistrate, Livard Philemon yesterday and was remanded in custody to January 12.
Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said Ngwenya stabbed Nyathi on December 14.
He said Nyathi and his friends were drinking traditional beer at a neighbour’s homestead when the suspect asked to join them.
“Ngwenya proceeded to a homestead where people were drinking traditional beer after they had assisted a fellow villager to plough his fields,” said Mazorodze.
The group told Ngwenya that he could not join them since he had not contributed in the ploughing.
A misunderstanding arose between Ngwenya and Nyathi and his friends.
“Ngwenya produced an Okapi knife from his pocket and stabbed the complainant twice on the stomach resulting in some intestines spilling out.
“He then fled from the homestead,” said Mazorodze.
He said some villagers pursued him and handed him over to the police.
Nyathi was referred to Plumtree District Hospital where he was treated and discharged.
derick.khumalo