‘Mental patient’ hacks boy (13) with bush knife
MBABANE – A 13-year-old pupil was severely hacked with a bush knife several times all over the body by a man who claimed to be a patient at the psychiatric centre while at Nkwalini.
*Sifiso was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted murder.
Testifying against Sifiso, *Bheki told the court that his assailant unexpectedly came from behind and hacked him with the bush knife while he was relaxing under a tree next to the road.
He told the court that Sifiso never uttered any word during the assault.
It was Bheki’s evidence that he rolled on the ground trying to protect his head.
“I managed to run away; however, I lost my strength and fell towards the main road. A good Samaritan came to my rescue and organised transport to take me to the hospital,” he narrated in court.
He stated that he did not recall provoking Sifiso, whom he knew from the area.
He mentioned that he spent almost a month in the ward due to the severity of the injuries.
“My mother came before I was rushed to hospital,” he added
The doctor’s report which was presented in court as part of evidence pointed out that Bheki sustained severe injuries on the neck, cheek and jaws.
In his defence, Sifiso admitted having assaulted Bheki. He told the court that he did not know what happened on the day of the incident.
“I am a psychiatric patient and I am on medication. I think I was disturbed because I had not taken my medication for almost four years,” he submitted.
He added that he thought the pupils were camping for him when he found them sleeping next to the road.
Attacked
This, he claimed, was because he had just been attacked by some boys from the area. Sifiso told the court that he took his medication with assistance from the His Majesty’s Correctional Services.
He stated that he did not inform the police about his condition at the time of his arrest because he was confused.
“I did not tell the police about my condition because I was not in my senses after I was heavily assaulted by the mob. The mob almost killed me in my house,” he told the court. The Crown wanted to know why Sifiso carried the bush knife and he responded that he carried it for self-defence.
In its final submissions, the Crown implored the court to find Sifiso guilty as charged.
The Crown implored the court to consider the fact that Sifiso intentionally hacked the pupil considering his evidence that he carried the bush knife to defend himself.
The matter was adjourned until October 17, 2022 for sentencing.
*Not real names to protect minor