A MAN who, while attending a function, began to stab partygoers around him ‘out of the blue’, resulting in the death of one victim, will stand trial in the Richards Bay Regional Court in November.
Bahle Goodenough Magutshwa (20) is charged with the murder of Sandile Mabika of Mabuyeni, in an unprovoked incident which led to questions about his mental state.
He was also charged with attempting to murder Sphelele Mthethwa, Khulekane Gambi, Bethuel Mthiyane, Sbusiso Mthiyane, Tolani Kweyama and Thabani Mnguni, who all sustained stab wounds during the same incident.
He was referred to two psychiatrists for a preliminary report in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act to determine if he is able to comprehend the charge against him, follow the court procedure and understand his lawyer.
His mother reported that he had screamed and cried out for no reason on two prior occasions and said he saw dead people from which he attempted to run away. The family however attributed his behaviour to Satanism and consulted spiritual healers.
Magutshwa said he had no memory of the incident on 14 December last year and said he only came to his senses after waking up in a cell with a severe ‘hangover’. He was referred to Ford Napier for observation and admitted to smoking cannabis and drinking.
He also said he was drunk at the time of the stabbings.
The psychiatrists found no serious mental illness which could render Magutshwa unfit to stand trial and neurological examinations revealed no gross abnormalities.
The matter was remanded for trial on 19 November and assessors will be appointed for trial.
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