5yrs for adding poisonous su„stance in womanǯs food

MBABANE – A man who was at a certain point found to be of unsound mind has been sentenced to five years for adding a poisonous substance into one Nhlanhla Ngozo’s food.

The court suspended three years of the sentence. Joseph Bingo Dlamini was charged with attempted murder. He had been in custody since January 15, 2015 when the incident occurred. His stay in custody included a period when he was of unsound mind and had to be referred to the National Psychiatric Referral Hospital. A Mental Health Specialist, Doctor Violet Mwanjali from the psychiatric hospital, filed a medical report attesting to the fact that Dlamini was ‘known to our institution with a diagnosis of a major mental illness’.

When the trial commenced, according to

Judge Justice Mavuso, the medical report was handed in as part of the evidence that Dlamini was of sound mind at the time and that he understood the court proceedings, was able to think clearly and make decisions. He was also able to put thoughts into meaningful words. Judge Mavuso said his prolonged stay in prison was also partly due to that he needed to receive medical care and be observed before the trial could be proceeded with.

Dlamini told the court that since it was Christmas time, a good Samaritan had given him and the complainant, Ngozo, some food. He said Ngozo shared all the food with his friends and totally forgot to share with him, and this angered him. Dlamini was represented by Musa Shongwe Attorneys and Nomkhosi Dlamini appeared for the Crown.