Mabete Abel Phakoe, 30, was recently convicted of attempting to murder a man while having drinks with friends at the Kopanong Kloof Mine hostel in Westonaria last year.
According to Warrant Officer Raymond Sebonyane, Westonaria Police spokesperson, Phakoe was sentenced in the Westonaria Regional Court to seven years’ imprisonment, suspended for a period of five years, on the condition that he is not convicted of attempted murder or murder committed during the period of suspension and had to pay R10 000 as compensation to the victim – R8 500 immediately and another R1 500 on 6 August in the presence of the public prosecutor.
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Sebonyane said, “It is alleged that at about 9.30pm on Sunday, 15 October 2017, the victim and his friends were drinking alcohol together at the Kopanong Kloof Mine hostel. An argument started between them and the accused. The accused attacked the victim by stabbing him several times with a knife. The victim sustained injuries to the upper body and lower body and had to be transported to hospital for medical treatment.”
He added, “A case docket of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (assault GBH) was opened and was allocated to detective Constable Thabo Mamabolo for further investigation. Through an intense investigation by the member and with the assistance of the victim, the accused was arrested.
The Westonaria Court changed the charges from assault GBH to attempted murder, on the basis of the report from the hospital.”
Lieutenant Colonel Hazel Makhafola, acting Westonaria Police station commander, applauded the members on a job well done, and also urged the community to drink responsibly.
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