Kimberley - A 22-year-old man, Mlungisi Memane, was found guilty on charges of murder and attempted murder following an incident during which he fatally stabbed his friend, Gopolang Mmokwa, and also injured another friend, Lebogang Hopton, following an argument over bread.
The incident occurred on January 29 in Galeshewe after the three friends were drinking under a tree and an argument broke out between Memane and Hopton.
According to testimony, Hopton and Mmokwa decided to go to Mmokwa’ house and told Memane to stay at the tree under which they had been drinking earlier.
Memane, however, refused to remain behind and followed the them to the house.
An altercation broke out in the kitchen between Memane and Mmokwa when the latter said that there was not enough bread for the both of them.
Hopton was in another room with his pregnant girlfriend, who is also the sister to the deceased. Hopton intervened when he heard the argument and he saw that Memane was becoming very irritated.
Memane then got into a physical fight with Hopton.
The fight was taken out into the street and Memane ran into his house to fetch a knife.
His mother, however, stopped him.
Hopton then went to sit under the tree where they had been drinking earlier, while Memane went back into the house and fetched another knife.
Memane returned to the tree and stabbed Hopton in his side and in his wrist.
Mmokwa came running out of the house and attempted to stop Memane but was stabbed in the back.
Mmokwa tried to escape but Memane tripped him and stabbed him in the chest.
He died on the scene.
The matter was postponed to September for the pre-sentencing report.
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