Nelspruit - A psychiatric report shows that a man accused of hacking and stabbing his mother to death is mentally ill, Mpumalanga's Boschfontein Regional Court heard on Friday.
Sondelani Magagula, 27, from Magogeni trust near the Swaziland border, was not asked to plead when he appeared in the Boschfontein Regional Court, a Sapa correspondent reported.
Investigating officer Constable Given Nguyuza testified that Magagula arrived at his mother's house shouting and holding a bush knife on the morning of August 20, 2013.
“Magagula rushed to the house where his mother and two others were sitting, but the mother told the other two to run and hide at a neighbour's house because he looked so dangerous they might be killed,” Nguyuza said.
They returned with neighbours to find Magagula holding his bush knife, which had blood on it.
“The neighbours found the lifeless body of the victim lying in a pool of blood with stabbing and hacking wounds,” he said.
Nguyuza said there was a spear near the body. He said neighbours screamed for help and locals gave chase and apprehended Magagula.
“Community members phoned us and we rushed to the area to do the proper arrest.”
Magistrate Edgar Moletsane said he had received a psychiatric report indicating Magagula was mentally ill.
He postponed the trial matter until Monday. Magagula remains in custody.
Sapa