By Delisa Thwala
A 45-year-old man, Masibekela Mdluli recounted in front of the court how he was allegedly robbed and brutally attacked by a group of four boys one of which is currently remanded in custody.
It was a flimsy night on December 25, 2023, when Mdluli walked back to his house in Lobamba after cheerful Christmas festivities at his mother’s home.
Just before he turned a corner Ka Mzakes corner plaza in Esitjeni a group of rowdy boys charged at him.
A boy named Bonkhe Magongo whom he recognized from a Mahlanya homestead approached him first and hit him to the ground.
While reeling from the blow that sent him to the ground, the other three boys emptied his pockets and made away with two cell phones worth E5 000. This was a Mobicel and a Huawei P30 lite.
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In between his pockets being emptied and him being on the ground, Mdluli was stabbed 11 times. Nine times on his head and two times on his hands, which he was using as a shielding tool.
After the random attack and robbery by the boys who were said to have been using ‘Inumber’ language, the boys left and made a right turn meters away leaving behind a bleeding Mdluli.
He got up and went straight to the hospital where he was immediately stitched and given a medical report that showed how severe the stab wounds were.
He then went to open the case at the Lobamba Police Station. This was now in the early hours of December 26, 2023.
The above occurrences were narrated by Mdluli to Magistrate Innocent Motsa, while the accused was in the accused dock.
The accused, Bonkhe Magongo was then given a chance to ask Mdluli questions, which he did.
His first question was “Your worship may he please tell me where the incident took place, the exact place,”
To which Mdluli reiterated that it took place at Ka Mzakes near Corner Plaza at Esitjeni.
The accused alleged to have stabbed Mdluli also asked what weapon was used to stab the complaint and how come there were no visible scars on his head.
had taken place in December 2023 and now it was May 2024.
When personally responding to the questions put to him, Mdluli said he did not know what type of knife or sharp object was used to stab him.
“I did not have a chance to see the weapon used to stab me, if you look closely, I have visible scars on my head,” he said bowing his head to show scars on his head.
The accused, Magongo maintained that he had not been part of the group of boys that stabbed Mdluli only that he knew of them.
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He further alleged that on the night in question, he was at home with his girlfriend.
This is despite the crown presenting to him that the stolen cell phone and piece of clothing belonging to Mdluli were recovered at his house, where his girlfriend confessed to the cell phones being taken by him.
Even then, Magongo said he was innocent, and his only crime was that he knew the real culprits.
IF I’M LYING GIVE ME THE DEATH PENALTY
The trial got interesting when Bonkhe Magongo alleged to have robbed and stabbed Masibekela Mdluli 11 times, told the court to give him a death sentence if it turned out he was lying.
“I’m sure of my story your worship, you would have to give me a death sentence if my story is a lie. I’m not wasting the court’s time with lies, “he said.
To which the Magistrate Innocent Motsa responded and said all will be revealed in court and by witnesses. Mdluli too kept to his story that he was stabbed and robbed by Magongo with the help of his group.
