A resident of Phaphazela Village, Mr Khazamula Collins Nkwinika, will spend the next 15 years behind the bars. His murder case was finalized in the Malamulele Regional court on Monday. The case relates to an incident that took place at Mdavula village on 26 September last year, at about 10:00.

The court heard that, on the day of the incident, the accused was in the company of two friends. They were driving in the accused’s car along the Mdavula-to-Malamulele road. The court learnt that the trio was drinking beer along the way.

An argument ensued between the accused and the deceased. The argument revolved around a bottle of beer that each of them claimed was his. The argument took an ugly turn when the accused stopped the car alongside the road and jumped out. He then ordered the deceased to get out of the car as well. The court further heard that the accused started to assault the deceased with various objects, including stones and wooden sticks. The accused’s other friend who was in their company tried to intervene but the accused was so aggressive that the friend couldn’t cool him down.

The deceased sustained serious injuries during the incident. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he died shortly after admission. The accused was arrested two days after the incident. The deceased was identified as Thomas da Gama of Phaphazela village.