Lover’s quarrel turns violent as woman stabbed, then seeks to withdraw case

A lovers’ dispute turned violent when a woman from Elandskop near Pietermaritzburg was allegedly stabbed in the neck by her boyfriend, but she has since told the court she wants the case withdrawn. The couple appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday following the alleged domestic violence incident. Nkosiyakhe Mkhize (46) appeared in court in connection with a domestic violence matter involving his girlfriend, Thobile Nxele (37).

The alleged incident happened on March 29 at the Mbabane location in Elandskop. According to information presented in court, the couple had allegedly been enjoying themselves at Ngubane Store when an argument broke out between them. It is alleged that during the altercation, Mkhize broke a bottle and stabbed Nxele in the neck.

Despite the allegations, Nxele later told the court that she wished to withdraw the case willingly and said she was not under any pressure to do so. Magistrate Sandile Ngwenya granted a domestic violence protection order against Mkhize, sternly warning him against assaulting or harassing Nxele. As part of his bail conditions, Mkhize was ordered not to enter Nxele’s residence and was warned against any form of assault or harassment. “You may approach the police if he violates the stipulated conditions,” Ngwenya told Nxele.