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Kombi driver, conductor stab passenger

by Tatenda Gapare
17 Jan 2016 at 09:06hrs | Views
A BULAWAYO commuter omnibus driver and conductor have appeared in court facing a charge of attempted murder after they were arrested for allegedly stabbing a passenger over an argument that arose over a seat.

Langalakhe Khumalo (21) from Pumula South, a conductor and Makhosini Sibindi (32) a commuter omnibus driver appeared before West Commonage magistrate Mr Abednigo Ndebele on Thursday facing a charge of attempted murder. The two were remanded in custody until 28 January for trial.

Prosecutor Mr Mufaro Mageza told the court that on 12 January Lenon Nleya boarded the commuter omnibus along Intemba Road in Pumula South. Khumalo had an argument with Nleya over a seat.

"Nleya asked the passenger who was sitting next to him to move so that they all sit well as there was no space but Khumalo told him to go buy his own car if he wanted to sit comfortably. Nleya also responded to Khumalo and told him to go buy his car as he was just a conductor working for someone. This angered Khumalo who then started shouting at him and other passengers intervened making a lot of noise in the kombi," he said.

It is alleged that the situation turned sour as Khumalo and one of the passengers started assaulting Nleya for complaining about space.

"Khumalo together with one of the passengers who is still at large started assaulting Nleya while still in the kombi. They beat him up using their fists. After all passengers had disembarked from the vehicle Sibindi then asked for a knife from Khumalo and he immediately gave him. He then stabbed Nleya once on the head and on the right eye," he said.

It is alleged that Khumalo then took a sjambok from the vehicle which he used to whip Nleya several times all over the body.

"He further went on to strike Nleya with a knobkerrie once on the right arm before kicking him with his feet all over the body. Nleya sustained serious injuries as he had cuts on the head, right eye and bruises all over the body," said Mr Mageza.

Nleya was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was treated while the two men were later arrested by the police.



Source - sundaynews
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