By Siphesihle Dlamini
In a riveting saga that unfolded with all the elements of a Hollywood thriller, Mciniseli Gumbi of Mvutjini found himself at the centr of a heart-pounding pursuit that culminated in a daring dash up the rugged terrain of Malagwane Hill, all in a bid to outwit a vengeful mob hot on his heels.
The dramatic narrative came to light during the trial of Siyabonga Zondo (24), who stood accused before Magistrate Innocent Motsa of assaulting Gumbi with a bottle during a tumultuous night on March 31, 2024.
In his testimony, Gumbi painted a vivid picture of a night that started innocently enough at a local drinking spot, only to spiral into chaos and violence.
What began as a casual gathering for drinks quickly escalated into a violent altercation, leaving Gumbi at the mercy of a group of assailants led by Zondo.
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Recalling the events of that fateful evening, Gumbi recounted how a seemingly harmless invitation to retrieve a bottle of whiskey from his house with a man named Parara quickly descended into a nightmarish ordeal.
The evening took a sinister turn when Zondo, Parara, and his brother accompanied Gumbi to his house, where drinks flowed freely before tensions reached a boiling point.
Gumbi explained how Zondo turned on him, refusing to hand over the beer bottles purchased with money Gumbi had given him. “I gave him some money to purchase two bottles of Sibebe beer.
When he came back, he told me that he wanted to go and sleep. I was okay with that but told him to leave behind the bottles behind and that was where it all went south,” she said.
The situation escalated rapidly, with Zondo assaulting Gumbi with a beer bottle before fleeing into the night, leaving Gumbi injured and vulnerable.
The complainant told the court that due to the extent of his injuries; he went to his ‘friend’ in the neighbourhood seeking medical help. Gumbi told the court that six people with bush knives intruded on the friend’s home and wanted to assault him.
In a bold act of defiance, Gumbi embarked on a perilous sprint up the Malagwane Hill, naked, and sought refuge in the home of a kind stranger who provided him with clothes and solace.
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When he went back to his neighbourhood the next morning, the accused, according to the complainant, came and slapped him across the face. Gumbi told the court that he figured that some things at his house were missing.
In a final verdict, Magistrate Innocent Motsa handed a five-year prison term or a fine of E5 000, with a year or E1 000 suspended from the sentence.
The court further ordered the accused to compensate Gumbi with E3 000 for future medical expenses. The Magistrate quoted the scripture on Hebrews 12:14, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
