adminThe trial of Nhlonipho Nyathi (29) from Jabulani Village in Ntabazinduna, who was a mathematics teacher at the school, was supposed to begin yesterday before magistrate Mrs Judith Zuyu at the regional court but could not take off as the docket for the case has gone missing.
The trial date was set at the magistrate’s court in December last year and the case was set down for yesterday.
Nyathi, who indicated he would plead guilty to two counts of attempted murder that he is facing, was further remanded in custody to 30 January as the State, led by Mr Jabulani Mhlanga, hopes to have located the docket.
Said Mr Mhlanga to the court: “The docket is missing but we are trying by all means to look for it.”
The headmistress, Mrs Concellia Ngwenya, and the minor girl attended the court anticipating testifying as witnesses.
Mrs Ngwenya was still visibly in pain although she could walk and talk and complained of internal pains, while the girl also said the two scars where she was stabbed were still painful.
Both have not started going to school.
The girl was accompanied by her mother while Mrs Ngwenya came with her family and there were also staff members from the school.
The State will seek to prove that Nyathi stabbed Mrs Ngwenya 15 times before stabbing the juvenile two times on 11 November.
On the fateful day, Nyathi had been summoned to a hearing over allegations that he was in love with the pupil, who was doing Form Three when the incident occurred.
The hearing was being chaired by Mrs Ngwenya, and in attendance were other teachers, Messrs Pritchard Bhebhe and Wilson Choto as well as Mrs Ruth Dziva.
During the course of the hearing, the court heard, Nyathi requested to be excused for a while and he went to his cottage where he allegedly collected a knife.
On his return and after the resumption of the hearing, Nyathi allegedly stabbed Mrs Ngwenya 15 times all over the body.
He then went to the classroom where the girl he was being accused of being in love with was writing end-of-year examinations.
Upon entry, he reportedly uttered the words: “Look what you have caused,” referring to the girl and attempted to grab her by the collar but missed.
He allegedly then lifted a desk and hit her as she tried to run away.
Nyathi then stabbed her on the chest above her right breast before stabbing her again on the back.
He then proceeded to Ms Mercy Muleya’s cottage, whom he allegedly wanted to stab for having forced the girl to report the affair but could not get her as she had locked herself inside.
Mrs Ngwenya was admitted to Pettigrew Women’s Surgical Ward at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for two weeks while the girl was admitted for some days at Inyathi District Hospital.
Mrs Ngwenya had to be operated on to drain blood from her chest as doctors said she bled internally putting her life in danger.
The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) donated about $500 towards her medical bill.
Online Reporter