Mbabane – A 25-year-old man of Mpolonjeni, Mbuso Nxumalo faces multiple assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm charges after attacking three people in a drinking spot.
According to the charge sheet, Nxumalo faced three counts of assault, two of which were for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one for common assault.
In Count One, Nxumalo was charged with assaulting Thami Dlamini by stabbing him on the back and further hitting him with a stick on his body, with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. In Count Two, he was charged with stabbing Sincidele Dlamini on the forehead, also with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. For Count Three, Nxumalo was accused of assaulting Nkosinathi Greenhead with open hands and fists on the face.
During mitigation, Nxumalo pleaded for the court’s leniency, saying he was deeply remorseful for his actions. He told the court that this was his first offence and that he was not a violent person by nature. Nxumalo further apologized to the court and to the complainants, admitting that what he did was wrong and that he regrets it deeply.
He also mentioned that he is unemployed and survives through piece jobs, adding that he is the eldest sibling at home and responsible for taking care of his brothers and sisters. Their grandmother, who lives on medication, also depends on him for support. He pleaded with the court to consider his difficult circumstances and give him a second chance.
After considering his plea and the circumstances surrounding the offence, the court sentenced Nxumalo to pay a fine of E3,000 or serve one year imprisonment for the first count. He was acquitted and found not guilty on the second count. For the third count of common assault, he was sentenced to pay a fine of E1,000 or serve six months in prison.
The magistrate emphasized that while the court took note of Nxumalo’s remorse, violence is never justified, and such actions could have resulted in serious injury. Nxumalo’s total fine amounted to E4,000, with an alternative sentence of one year and six months imprisonment if he fails to pay.
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