Plumtree man kills patron in Boxing Day bar stabbing

PLUMTREE – A 32‑year‑old man from Plumtree has been remanded in custody after allegedly stabbing a fellow patron to death during a Boxing Day altercation at a local bar.


Phatisani Sikhosana Ncube appeared before Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware on Saturday facing a murder charge. He was not asked to plead and was advised to apply for bail at the High Court. He was remanded in custody to 9 January.

According to the State, led by prosecutor Sheila Nyathi, the incident occurred around midnight on 26 December. Ncube allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket and began waving it at patrons inside the bar.

Sehlile Mpofu, one of the patrons, confronted Ncube over his behaviour. In response, Ncube allegedly stabbed Mpofu in the neck.

Mpofu collapsed and lost consciousness after bleeding profusely. She died hours later.

Ncube was arrested shortly after the incident.