TSHITALE – Patrick Mabatha (19), convicted of assault, was given the option of paying a fine of R1 500 if he did not want to stay in jail for six months, but he was still behind bars at the time of going to press.

His case was finalised in the Tshitale Magistrate's court last Thursday.

The incident which led to his conviction took place at Masakona Village in the Rembuluwani area on the evening of March 16 this year. The court heard that Mabatha was in the company of friends during the incident.

They were drinking beer at a local liquor outlet. Mabatha started threatening everybody with a butcher's knife, saying he would chop their necks off if they did not worship him.

During the ordeal the victim advised Mabatha to go home. He refused to listen to the victim's advice and turned against him. He took the butcher's knife and chopped the victim on the neck, seriously wounding him as a result. The victim is a 33-year-old man who resides at Masakona Village.

Mabatha was arrested the following day. He appeared in court for the first time on Monday, March 18 when the case was postponed until last Thursday.

Mabatha was found guilty as charged and ordered to pay a fine of R1 500 or to stay in jail for six months.