Relations between two brothers, which appear to have broken down irretrievably, played out in the Alex Magistrates’ Court recently.
This after a 57-year-old disowned and demanded compensation for injuries caused by his 60-year-old sibling.
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Magistrate Renier Boshoff found John Mahlaba of 17th Avenue guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm of Johannes Dube of 14th Avenue, on 27 September.
Mahlaba was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment suspended for five years on condition he paid Dube compensation of R2 000 in monthly instalments of R500 for stabbing him in the eye with a screwdriver. The incident occurred at Dube’s home at 8.30am on 18 September in the presence of his daughter.
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The victim told the court that he was in his bedroom when he overheard his daughter tell Mahlaba that he was sleeping. Instead of knocking on the bedroom door, the accused barged in and accused him of spreading a rumour that he was a witch.
Before he could respond, Mahlaba stabbed him in the eye. In defence, Dube pushed the accused who fell. Dube ran out half-naked, screaming for help. A neighbour took him to Alex Clinic where he was transferred to the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital for treatment.
He was released hours later and reported the incident, resulting in the accused’s detention and court appearance days later where he pleaded guilty. In mitigation, Mahlaba claimed to have picked up the screwdriver at the scene.
He expressed remorse and said he had been provoked by the rumour.
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Dube would not accept his apology and asked the court to warn him not to ever come close to him again, as they were no longer brothers. He demanded R20 000 as compensation for medical costs, and the pain and suffering caused. He, however, agreed to a court-brokered R2 000 in compensation.
