Farmworker dies after being stabbed in ear in bloody brawl
A father and farmworker died after being stabbed in the ear, allegedly by a colleague.
The suspect, who allegedly forced the knife into Melikhaya Sokratshi’s left ear, twisting it “like a screwdriver” until he lost consciousness, has since been arrested and appeared in court.
Sokratshi, 41, was drinking with his girlfriend and a friend in his flatlet at Congaskraal Farm, just outside Nanaga, on Saturday when co-worker Sinethemba “Barney” Nkuntela allegedly broke down the door and barged in.
A fist fight then allegedly ensued between Sokratshi and Nkuntele.
But in seconds, it turned deadly when Nkuntele allegedly stabbed the father of two.
Sokratshi’s sister, Ntosh Cakwebe, said she was struggling to come to terms with her brother’s death.
“He was a soul who never sought trouble, navigating life with a quiet grace that left a lasting impact on all who knew him,” she said.
Cakwebe said the family had been told the situation developed after Nkuntela allegedly touched her brother’s girlfriend.
“When he asked him what he was doing because he didn’t want to fight, Sinethemba started a fight.
“My brother then went to his house with his girlfriend.
“After a few minutes Sinethemba [allegedly] broke down the door and started to stab my brother.
“My brother’s girlfriend ran to fetch my brother’s mother on another farm.
“When she returned, the knife was gone.”
A police source said blood was streaming from Sokratshi’s ear.
“That man [the suspect] drilled the knife into his ear as if it was a screwdriver,” the source said.
“It was a bloody affair.” Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said Sokratshi had succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Naidu said the motive for the stabbing incident was under investigation.
Naidu said the investigation was ongoing and Nkuntele was expected back in court on January 15.