A Woodlands man who had been out on bail and was sitting among the public in court was led to the holding cells on yesterday after being sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for stabbing his neighbour multiple times, reports The Witness.

Sandile Emmanuel Gcabashe (35) was convicted of attempted murder by the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court after he chased and stabbed Monwabisi Salukazana multiple times on July 6, 2024.

The court heard that the men were known to drink together often, and on the day before the incident, they had spent time drinking.

During their session, an issue resurfaced involving allegations that dogs had been set on a child related to Gcabashe by Salukazana’s landlord.

Despite this, they continued drinking but needed more alcohol, prompting Salukazana to give Gcabashe money to buy more beer.

However, Gcabashe failed to return with the change.

The following morning, Salukazana went to confront him, asking for his money back so he could use it for transport.

The request quickly escalated into a violent altercation.

Gcabashe did not deny stabbing Salukazana but claimed he acted in self-defence and to avenge his relative.

He told the court that Salukazana had allegedly attempted to stab him but missed, prompting him to retaliate.

Salukazana, who was the only witness to the incident, testified that Gcabashe stabbed him twice in the chest, with the wounds inflicted close to his heart.

As he attempted to flee, Gcabashe chased after him and stabbed him a third time in the back.

Magistrate Sello Simon Mabuyi said the court had to carefully assess the evidence, particularly because it relied on a single witness.

Evidence of a single witness must be treated with caution, as it may be exaggerated.
“However, Salukazana’s version was found to be clear, straightforward and consistent,” Mabuyi said.

The magistrate said the court had to determine whether the accused acted in self-defence and whether his actions fell within the legal bounds of such a defence.

“The court must also consider the thin line between attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and the distinction does not lie in the severity of the injuries sustained, but rather in the intention of the accused at the time of the attack,” Mabuyi said.

He found that several factors pointed to a clear intention to kill, including the use of a knife, the targeting of the upper body and the fact that the complainant was chased and stabbed while trying to escape.

Gcabashe was sentenced to eight years’ direct imprisonment.

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