Neighbour stabber jailed 10 years for attempted murder

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO man who connived with a friend who is still at large and stabbed his neighbour with a knife resulting in the blade lodging inside the victim’s body was yesterday sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Mthokozisi Dube, 24, of Cowdray Park suburb was convicted of a charge of attempted murder by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira for stabbing his neighbour Bruno Murenje, 21, with an Okapi knife following a dispute.

Dube will serve an effective eight years in prison after two years of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit a similar crime.

Dube, in his evidence, claimed that he was not linked to the crime.

But Dzira, in his judgment, ruled that Dube’s testimony lacked credibility.

“What is evil is that you connived with your friend (Meluleki Dube) and attacked Murenje with an Okapi knife and the tip of the knife broke inside his flesh,” Dzira said.

“The victim sustained severe injuries and he was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital where doctors discharged him saying they were unable to remove the blade.

“To show that the attack was a serious attempt on the victim’s life, Murenje had to be transferred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals where he was treated.”

Dzira said Dube’s moral blameworthiness was very high.

“There was no justification for you to attack the victim. It has been said time and again that violence does not solve disputes. If someone has wronged you, why don’t you go to the police?

“The court is convinced that you were part of the attack and accordingly you are sentenced to 10 years in jail,” ruled Dzira.

Prosecuting, Tinashe Dzipe, said on December 25, 2014 shortly after 9PM, Murenje, who was coming back from reporting to the police that he had been assaulted by Meluleki, was confronted by the two.

Dube charged at him accusing him of being a bully, while Meluleki held his hand and produced an Okapi knife.

The court heard that Dube punched Murenje while Meluleki stabbed him once on the right side of the chest and back.

The two then ran away and Murenje was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital’s intensive care unit.

He was later transferred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. A police report was made leading to Dube’s arrest. Meluleki is still on the run.