By Bahle Gama
Under the influence of alcohol, there are no rational decisions taken. Intoxication results in regretful actions.
This was evidenced in a stolen cell phone incident that could have been likely resolved amicably had the involved parties been sober, but instead, it resulted in mayhem and the owner of the communicating device losing their life.
On February 4, 2024, Wandile Malindzisa lost his life when a fight broke out over his stolen cell phone that was found in another patron’s bag at a drinking spot at Sidvwashini.
ALSO READ: Crime stats paint a horrific…
According to a bail application by one of the suspects Mfundo Hlophe (31) of Makholokholo, on the day in question, together with his friends and brother were at a drinking spot at Sidvwashini enjoying alcoholic beverages.
He told the court that since there were different factions, there was a certain woman known to the ones he was drinking with who stole Malindzisa’s cell phone and dropped it in one of his friend’s bags commonly known as Sobhuza in the area.
At the time Malindzisa was flat drunk just like everyone at the drinking spot. A few moments later when Sobhuza reached for his bag to purchase more alcohol he took out the phone from the bag and enquired to whom it belonged.
“At the time, Malindzisa was battling with his sleep but woke up at the mention of the phone and violently reached for the bag and cell phone at the same time grabbing it from Sobhuza. Because both were intoxicated, a fight ensued as Sobhuza did not want to let go of the cell phone without having solicited whom it belonged to.
For purposes of avoiding a serious fight altogether, my brother and I tried to separate Sobhuza from Malindzisa who eventually left the drinking spot,” Hlophe submitted.
He stated that 20 minutes later, Malindzisa returned with a group of men all of whom were unknown to Hlophe fully armed with logs and bush knives, and directly attacked Sobhuza who was still at the time in possession of the cell phone.
Hlophe’s brother Siphosethu tried to intervene and help Sobhuza who was being heavily assaulted, who in turn was allegedly hit with a log on the head by a man identified as Rasta.
“That is when I took the initiative to intervene to save my brother’s life. I got into a fight with Rasta who eventually fled the scene, and I tried chasing after him but was outpaced by him.
ALSO READ:Spooked by crime, Ecuadoreans train…
On my return to the drinking spot, I found Malindzisa lying on the ground and Sobhuza was pouring water on him and trying to make him sit up straight,” Hlophe said.
It was at that moment that Sobhuza said the police should be called and requested that someone assist in taking Malindzisa to the hospital in the interim, indeed he was ferried using a vehicle belonging to another patron.
Two days later upon return from his piece job, Hlophe was informed that the police were looking for him and he proceeded to the station, where upon arrival he was detained and subsequently informed that he was under arrest for allegedly being a suspect of the murder of Malindzisa.
Hlophe told the court that he was innocent of the charge and the evidence to be presented in court would result in his acquittal as he has a very good defence to the charges he faces.
He stated that he resides with his unemployed brother who is fully dependent on him for his maintenance and upkeep in a child-headed family as the eldest.
“I also have four minor children who are all school-going and fully dependent on me for their maintenance and upkeep since all their mothers are unemployed.
ALSO READ: Eswatini launches study on gender and trade, supported by World Bank
Hlophe added that his conduct of cooperating with the police is demonstrable of the fact that he is not a flight risk.
The court granted Hlophe bail at E50, 000 and he was ordered to pay E5,000 cash and the rest as surety.
In the event he successfully posts bail, he is expected to relocate and report at KaShewula police station every last Friday of the month.
