GIYANI – A resident of Muyexe Village, Mbhazima Kaizer Mabunda (24) was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment for murder. The case was finalised in the Regional Court in Giyani last week.

The case relates to an incident in December 1999 when Mabunda was engaged in an argument about who should accompany his brother-in-law. According to Insp Hasani Steven Mabasa, police spokesperson in Giyani, Mabunda wanted to accompany his brother-in-law, on his own, but the two young men insisted on being with them.

Mabunda then lost his temper and produced a butcher’s knife. He then stabbed one of the men to death. According to the post mortem report, the deceased had three deep cuts in the neck, chest and stomach.

Seven years of the sentence were conditionally suspended.

In a separate case, the 40-year old Thomas Maluleke of Basani Village was also sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment for murdering his wife, Mthavini Nora Machete (33).

The case was heard in the Regional Court last Thursday. It was testified that Maluleke was at a shebeen. Machete then asked for the key of his house, saying she was going to rest. When Ma luleke went home, he found that Machete was not there. He went looking for her and met her on her way back home.

It was testified that they started arguing along the road and at home he took an axe and chopped her to death.