The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the sentence that was handed down to the 27-year-old male accused for attempted murder. The sentence was imposed by the Nkomazi Regional Court on Tuesday, 26 July 2022.
The court heard how on 8 May 2021 at around 23:30 the victim, aged 31, was coming from a prayer service at his late neighbor’s place. It is said that he met the accused, Sizwe Wandile Mkhatshwa standing with his three other fellows. They then blocked the gate of the victim’s house.
The accused then attacked the victim by pelting him with stones. The victim was finally rescued by one of his neighbours but this was after a while which resulted in him sustaining serious injuries. He was later taken to hospital by this Good Samaritan.
The matter was eventually brought to the attention of the police where a case of attempted murder was opened and investigated. The suspect was eventually arrested as well as charged.
After all evidence was brought before court it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mkhatshwa was liable for his actions then found guilty and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment of which 3 years is suspended for a period of 5 years on condition that the accused is not convicted of a charge of attempted murder or assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has appreciated the excellent work collaboratively achieved by the team of detectives, the Prosecution team and the Judiciary. The General specifically honoured the humanity shown by the one who rescued the victim as well as took him to hospital. “We hope that this sentence will be a lesson to others who might want to emulate the actions of the accused. I can never thank enough the person who saved the life of the victim” said the General.
