Miner confesses to stabbing workmate after Valentine’s Day drink

A 25-year-old miner on Monday confessed to fatally stabbing his fellow workmate during a heated argument in 2019 at their campsite at Frenchman Backdam, Mabura, Region 10.

Imran Daniels, formerly of the North West District, appeared before High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds via Zoom. He was initially charged with the murder of 19-year-old Alex Daniels but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He admitted that on February 14, 2019, he unlawfully killed Daniels of Swan Village, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The State was represented by Prosecutors Teriq Mohammed and Tyra Bakker while Daniels was represented by attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir.

Sentencing is adjourned to July 20 pending a probation report.

According to reports, on February 14, 2019, the two miners were at a shop imbibing at Frenchman Landing and while they were returning to their camp, Imran threw away Alex’s slippers and this led to an argument.

At the camp, Imran armed himself with a knife and dealt Alex two stabs – one to the chest and another above his right hip.

Imran tried to escape but was arrested by his fellow employees at the camp and handed over to the Police at the Mabura Police Station.