The Alexandra Magistrates’ Court recently sentenced a Soweto man to a two-year prison sentence after he admitted to a charge of attempted murder of a co-worker.
Xolani Khosi, a construction worker, admitted guilt to the crime committed on 3 August last year at a construction site in Midrand.
The court heard that on the day, the 29-year-old accused worked with the victim, Edemole Muchanga, and others on-site when the accused used the victim’s tools without his consent. When the victim asked for the tools, the accused refused and the victim left to mix concrete.
The accused then followed the victim and, without a word, stabbed him eight times until he collapsed. The victim regained consciousness at Tembisa Hospital, where he had been taken by ambulance, and stayed for a few weeks to receive treatment.
In mitigation, the accused, who was said to have a history of drug abuse, expressed remorse. A legal expert said the sentence would be viewed as light, but the magistrate could have been influenced by the quick admission, nature of remorse and also that the victim survived the incident.
