Young Man Appears In Court For Attempted Murder Over Phone Torch Dispute

A 21-year-old man from Nkayi in Matabeleland North province found himself in court facing a charge of attempted murder over a dispute that arose from a phone torch. The accused, Bhekumuzi Sibanda, allegedly stabbed an 18-year-old man, Kholwani Dlamini, three times on his hand and once on his ribs with a knife.

According to B-metro, the incident occurred on Christmas Day of 2022 in Zhende Village when Dlamini was on his way to Nkayi Business Centre. According to reports, Sibanda flashed his phone torch on Dlamini’s face, resulting in a misunderstanding between the two. Sibanda then allegedly drew a knife and stabbed Dlamini in a fit of anger.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest. During the trial, which began on a later date, Sibanda initially pleaded not guilty. However, he shocked the court when he claimed he acted in self-defence.

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Sibanda told the court that he was walking with an old woman neighbor, and his phone torch was on because it was dark. When he met Dlamini, he flashed the light in his face, and a misunderstanding ensued. According to Sibanda, Dlamini then drew a knife and stabbed him on the knee, which prompted him to snatch the knife from Dlamini. Sibanda claimed that he only realized he had stabbed Dlamini when he saw him bleeding.

“I was walking with a neighbour, an old woman and my phone torch was on since it was dark.

“When I met Dlamini I flashed him in the face and that is when a misunderstanding started.

“Dlamini drew a knife and stabbed me on my knee, and I then snatched the knife from him as we were both intoxicated and l only realised that l had stabbed him when he started bleeding,” said Sibanda.

Medical reports revealed that Dlamini sustained five wounds, with the most severe being on his abdomen. The trial was adjourned to March 24 for further hearing.