Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara, [email protected]
A 63-YEAR-OLD woman from Inyathi in Bubi District, who ganged up with her 21-year-old son to stab her neighbour, has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Xholiswa Tshabalala of H/S Circle C was convicted on her own plea of guilty to attempted murder by Bulawayo regional magistrate, Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla.
She will serve an effective two years in jail after one year was suspended for five years, on condition that she does not commit a similar offence within that period.
Prosecuting, Ms Tsungai Mutapi told the court that on December 24 at around 3PM, the accused’s son and the complainant had a misunderstanding over an issue related to age. Although the dispute was initially resolved, the son later informed his mother about it.
At around 8PM on the same day, the complainant went to his brother’s homestead. Upon arrival, the accused noticed him and used a floodlight torch to monitor his movements while calling her son to come outside.
“The accused advanced towards the complainant and grabbed both his hands while calling her son to assault him. The accused’s son produced a knife from his pocket and stabbed the complainant once on the side of the ribs while she was holding him,” said Ms Mutapi.
The court heard that the complainant lost consciousness as a result of the stabbing.
Tshabalala and her son carried the unconscious complainant and dumped him near some shops without being detected.
The complainant was discovered the following day by his brother, who took him to Insuza Police Station, where a report was made, leading to Tshabalala’s arrest.
He was initially treated at St Luke’s Hospital before being transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital for further management.
Sidumisile Mabena