Parolee who stabbed his uncle almost to death gets 15 years in prison

A parolee accused of stabbing his uncle and nearly killing him last year was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment by the Mhala regional court in Mpumalanga. 

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala, Samkelo Mbowane, 36, was sentenced for attempted murder at Goromani, near Bushbuckridge.

“The court heard how on that day, a family argument between the accused and his uncle over meat turned violent in front of the uncle's friends. It is said that during the squabble, Mbowane was fuming.

“He went to the room and fetched a knife which he used to stab his uncle multiple times. The uncle sustained injuries on the eye, left arm, shoulder, neck and back. He was rescued by the people who had visited the family. They took the victim to a nearby hospital for medical treatment,” said Mohlala.

The accused was previously convicted and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in 2016 for murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. When he attacked his uncle, Mbowane was reportedly on parole, Mohlala said.

“A case of attempted murder was subsequently opened at Calcutta police station and after an investigation the accused was arrested at home in Madras outside Hazyview on November 4 2022, thanks to members from Correctional Services, who heard that the accused was involved in crime.

“In fact they brought him to the authorities. He was charged and taken to court. The state presented a strong case against him and he was convicted, hence his sentencing to 15 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder,” he added.

The accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm. 

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