‘SOCIETY has no room for violent people, and punishment should be severe for those who don’t respect the law.’
eSikhawini Regional Court Magistrate Ngesi expressed his views when delivering sentence to a young church keyboard player on Tuesday.
Phiwayinkosi Mdletshe (27) from KwaNongoma was sentenced to six years imprisonment for the attempted murder of his friend at eSikhaleni in March 2010.
According to the evidence, they both consumed alcohol at JC tavern, before Mdletshe shot the complainant, Siphephelo Sifunda and fled the scene.
The victim told the court their outing turned into a nightmare and left him with permanent scars and regular painful sensations.
The bullet struck his lower back and penetrated his leg, where it was lodged.
‘He asked me to go with him to a group of friends outside. I was slightly ahead of him when I heard the gunshot.
‘When I turned around he had a gun pointing at me,’ said Sifunda.
He also alleged Mdletshe shot him a second time, on his thigh.
‘After he shot me I fell in the nearby bushes. He shot me the again on my thigh and said ‘Í told you I was going to get you’.’
Sifunda was transported to Ngwelezana Hospital where he later gained consciousness.
According to his testimony he has to visit the institution regularly for medical check ups.
However, in a surprising twist, a doctor testified that there was no evidence of a second bullet. He said the first one entered his lumbar region and was stuck on his thigh – creating a second wound.
Other witnesses speculated in court that Mdletshe was angry because the victim had a quarrel with his father earlier that day.
It was also alleged that the duo had intentions to commit robbery, which ended up in a dispute.
Throughout the trial Mdletshe refused to express his version of the incident.
He will serve three of his six-year sentence behind bars, the other three suspended for five years.
