Kombi driver stabbed in fare rage

A MAN from Bulawayo's Cowdray Park suburb has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a commuter omnibus driver four times with a pocket knife after refusing to pay the fare.

Phathisani Mafu, 22, allegedly stabbed Zibusiso Nhatarikwa, 26, of Nkulumane suburb twice on the back and twice on his arms.

Mafu turned violent when the kombi driver decided to drive to a police station to settle the matter, a court heard yesterday.

He pleaded not guilty to assault before Western Commonage magistrate Themba Chimiso and was remanded in custody to May 4.

Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza said on March 16 at around 6PM, Nhatarikwa was driving a commuter omnibus from town to Nkulumane suburb.

"On the way, he picked up five passengers including Mafu. The conductor asked for the fare and Mafu refused to pay. When Mafu saw that the driver was about to make a U-turn to a police station, since they were just near Mabutweni police base, the accused pulled the hand brake and the commuter omnibus stopped," said Mageza.

"He then grabbed the driver from behind and stabbed him two times on the back with his pocket knife. When the driver attempted to escape, he stabbed him once on the lower right arm and once on the upper arm."

The prosecutor said Mafu then escaped through the kombi window.