Cousin 'rips' open man's stomach

A MAN from Nkayi was left with his intestines hanging after his cousin allegedly stabbed him without provocation while they were drinking beer at a traditional ceremony.

Mpumelelo Ncube (21) is alleged to have stabbed Mr Nkosiyabo Ncube on his stomach and left armpit in August this year.

Nkosiyabo appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere facing attempted murder charges. He pleaded not guilty.

Mr Mberewere remanded him in custody to today for continuation of trial.

Mr Mandla Ncube, a witness said Nkosiyabo arrived at the ceremony drunk and started kicking logs from a fire. He said Mpumelelo did not have an altercation with Nkosiyabo, but it was the accused who had become a nuisance at the ceremony until he was chased away.

"He later came back around midnight and stabbed Mpumelelo leaving his intestines protruding. Nkosiyabo attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by people at the ceremony," he said.

Nkosiyabo said he stabbed Mpumelelo in self-defence after he had attacked him with three other men.

"I stabbed Mpumelelo with the knife he intended to stab me with," he said.

Prosecuting, Mr Simbarashe Manyiwa said Nkosiyabo stabbed Mpumelelo on August 5 while they were drinking beer at a traditional ceremony.

Mr Manyiwa said: "Around 2AM, Mpumelelo left the hut going outside. He met Nkosiyabo at the door and he stabbed him twice, once on the stomach and on the armpit for no apparent reason."