Man to part with E7 000 for stabbing alleged thief

PIGG’S PEAK – A man’s action of taking the law into his own hands led to him being handed a seven-year sentence.

Phumlani Lukhele had to part with more than what a man is said to have stolen from him after he was found guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).

Lukhele appeared yesterday before Magistrate Vusi Thomo where he pleaded guilty to the charge.

He is said to have stabbed Thembinkosi Gumedze with a knife twice in the shoulder and once in the head.

The incident is said to have happened around Ndlalambi near Buhleni.

Gumedze was arrested by police officer Constable Machawe Tsabedze, who also appeared before the same magistrate to testify against Lukhele. Tsabedze told the magistrate that when he arrived at the homestead where the stabbing incident occurred, he found that Lukhele had been apprehended by the residents.

Stabbed

He said he was told that Lukhele had just stabbed Gumedze, who was then rushed to Mkhuzweni Health Centre.

The police officer also presented the knife which Lukhele used in the stabbing.

He said it was Lukhele who had shown him the weapon he used to stab Gumedze on the day of the arrest.

A doctor, identified as Masango from Mkhuzweni Health Centre, also submitted a medical report which described the extent of Gumedze’s injuries and confirmed that they were inflicted by a sharp object. Lukhele, in his testimony, said he attacked Gumedze while drunk.

He said Gumdze had stolen his clothes, his brother’s cellphone and E120 cash.

The magistrate noted that Lukhele had not given any valid reason why he stabbed Gumedze.

He said Lukhele was not protecting or defending himself but merely attacked Gumedze who was not armed. The magistrate further said it was clear that Lukhele had planned to stab Gumedze on the day.

He said this was because he was found at Gumedze’s homestead where he had intentionally gone to stab him.

“You had even carried a knife to the homestead,” said the magistrate.

Drunk

The magistrate told Lukhele that saying he was drunk was not enough of an excuse. He also said the injuries were grievous and noted the areas Gumedze was stabbed such as the head as well as one of his shoulders.

The magistrate said the court had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Lukhele had intentionally committed the crime.

However, when issuing the sentence, the magistrate said he took into consideration that Lukhele was drunk at the time.

He also said he noted that Lukhele also pleaded guilty and showed remorse for his actions.

The magistrate further noted that crimes of this nature were prevalent in the region.

Lukhele was sentenced to seven years in prison or to pay a fine of E7 000.

Since he was out on E3 000 bail, this amount was added to the fine which meant that Lukhele only had to pay E4 000 for his freedom.