A Cambridge abattoir employee accused of stabbing his line manager to death and wounding another over a bonus dispute on New Year’s Eve was granted bail of R500 by the East London Magistrate’s Court this week.Nathi Diamond was arrested last Thursday afternoon by Cambridge police shortly after he allegedly stabbed slaughter floor foreman Fezile Ngalonkulu, 52, with a pocket knife.
There was a stabbing incident at 3pm in the office of supervisor Mncedisi Nonqayi as scores of general workers queued for Ngalonkulu and Nonqayi to pay them their bonuses.
It was alleged that Diamond, 29, had not qualified for the bonus because he had been absent from work without leave for one day.
Diamond is alleged to have then pulled a pocket knife and stabbed Ngalonkulu and Nonqayi.
Ngalonkulu sustained a stab wound to his neck and collapsed while Nonqayi managed to escape with four stab wounds.
He allegedly ran to the slaughterhouse in search of a knife to defend himself.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said Diamond – who slaughtered livestock for a living – attempted to flee the premises but was stopped by security guards on site.
“He tried to run but was apprehended by security guards. He was handed over to police when they arrived on the scene,” Mzuku said.
Mzuku said the foreman and supervisor were rushed to Frere Hospital in separate ambulances. Ngalonkulu died in hospital while receiving medical treatment.
The Daily Dispatch visited Cambridge abattoir yesterday, but the general manager Frans van der Vyver refused to comment and instructed security guards to remove the team from the premises.
Called later to find out how the company was dealing with the matter, Van der Vyver said Ngalonkulu was an employee of 10 years hired through a labour broker.
He said he did not wish to comment on the incident.
Nonqayi has been booked off sick and is recuperating at home.
He said he had been with the abattoir for 20 years and that it had been the first time he had witnessed such an incident.
“I am still traumatised, but my family has been very supportive and understanding,” he told the Dispatch yesterday.
Diamond, who is now facing murder and attempted murder charges, has been warned not to interfere with the investigation or intimidate witnesses. He is due back in court on February 5.
Mzuku said the case was postponed to allow the investigating officer to complete his investigation. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Man held for abattoir stabbing
Nathi Diamond was arrested last Thursday afternoon by Cambridge police shortly after he allegedly stabbed slaughter floor foreman Fezile Ngalonkulu, 52, with a pocket knife.
There was a stabbing incident at 3pm in the office of supervisor Mncedisi Nonqayi as scores of general workers queued for Ngalonkulu and Nonqayi to pay them their bonuses.
It was alleged that Diamond, 29, had not qualified for the bonus because he had been absent from work without leave for one day.
Diamond is alleged to have then pulled a pocket knife and stabbed Ngalonkulu and Nonqayi.
Ngalonkulu sustained a stab wound to his neck and collapsed while Nonqayi managed to escape with four stab wounds.
He allegedly ran to the slaughterhouse in search of a knife to defend himself.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said Diamond – who slaughtered livestock for a living – attempted to flee the premises but was stopped by security guards on site.
“He tried to run but was apprehended by security guards. He was handed over to police when they arrived on the scene,” Mzuku said.
Mzuku said the foreman and supervisor were rushed to Frere Hospital in separate ambulances. Ngalonkulu died in hospital while receiving medical treatment.
The Daily Dispatch visited Cambridge abattoir yesterday, but the general manager Frans van der Vyver refused to comment and instructed security guards to remove the team from the premises.
Called later to find out how the company was dealing with the matter, Van der Vyver said Ngalonkulu was an employee of 10 years hired through a labour broker.
He said he did not wish to comment on the incident.
Nonqayi has been booked off sick and is recuperating at home.
He said he had been with the abattoir for 20 years and that it had been the first time he had witnessed such an incident.
“I am still traumatised, but my family has been very supportive and understanding,” he told the Dispatch yesterday.
Diamond, who is now facing murder and attempted murder charges, has been warned not to interfere with the investigation or intimidate witnesses. He is due back in court on February 5.
Mzuku said the case was postponed to allow the investigating officer to complete his investigation. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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