Times Of Swaziland: FEMALE COP GANG-RAPED AT GUEST HOUSE PARTY

FEMALE COP GANG-RAPED AT GUEST HOUSE PARTY
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BY MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE AND PHIWASE PHUNGWAYO on 21/06/2020 23:57:00


MBABANE – A night of fun ended sadly for a female police officer after she was
reportedly gang-raped during a drinking spree.
The incident happened at a popular guest house situated in the Hhohho Region,
where the police officer and her friends had booked the venue to enjoy alcoholic
beverages.
The two men, according to impeccable sources, took advantage of the 29-year-old
law enforcer following a night of heavy drinking.
The name of the female police officer, where she is stationed and the exact
location of the guest house will not be revealed or disclosed to protect the
identity of the complainant.
Complainant
According to sources and a report that was forwarded to the police by the
complainant, the two men purportedly raped her twice while inside the guest
house.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is now looking for the duo to assist
them in their investigations.
The men are reportedly unknown to the complainant. It is alleged that they (two
men) came to the gathering with one of the police officer’s friends.
The charge that is likely to be preferred against the suspects, once arrested,
is that of contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act of
2018.
The incident, as per the police report, happened on June 10, 2020 and was
reported on June 12, 2020.
“The ‘small’ party where there were many alcoholic beverages had been
organised by the officer and her close friends.
“It lasted until midnight and some of those in attendance decided to leave as
they felt they were too drunk,” said the source.
The source narrated that the other friends left the guest house for their
respective places of abode, leaving behind the law enforcer and the two men.
The source recounted that when the friends left, the female officer was already
drunk.
“Seeing that it was now the two of them and the female police officer, they
took turns in raping her,” alleged the source.
The source said she thought it would not be difficult for the investigators to
locate the alleged perpetrators because during the gathering, they came with
someone who was known to the complainant.
Investigators
“I want to believe the investigators now do have a clue but they are following
the stipulated procedures before effecting any arrest,” the source added.
Meanwhile, a legal expert, who preferred anonymity, said it was not an issue
that the complainant reported the incident to the police a few days after its
occurrence. “It takes courage for one to report a case of sexual abuse,
especially rape. Some even take a year or more to report,” said the legal
expert.
The expert further pointed out that Section 50 of the SODV Act provides that:
“A court, in criminal proceedings involving the alleged commission of a sexual
offence, shall not draw an inference solely on account of the fact that previous
consistent statements have not been made or the length of any delay between the
alleged commission of such offence and the reporting of the offence to the
police.”
According to the legal eagle, the Act also defines consent when it comes to
cases of sexual offences.
The Act stipulates that an unlawful sexual act constitutes a sexual act
committed; in any coercive circumstances; under false pretences or by fraudulent
means, duress, physiological oppression or fear of violence.
“The circumstances in which a person who is incapable in law of appreciating
the nature of the sexual act which causes penetration, include circumstance
where such a person is; asleep, unconscious, under the influence of any
medicine, drugs, alcohol or other substances to the extent that the
consciousness of that person or judgment is adversely affected,” reads part of
the Act.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile
Vilakati, when confirming the incident, said so far, no one had been arrested
and police were still investigating the matter.  Although unrelated, police have
been in the news for different incidents in the past weeks and months. About
three weeks ago, a police officer shot and killed his spouse and her male
companion, who was a civil servant under the Ministry of Agriculture, after he
found them kissing in a car parked at Madonsa in Manzini. Malangeni Dlamini was
charged with two counts of murder for the offence.
Stabbing
In the same breath, another police officer by the name of Sibusiso Lusenga,
stationed at the Mbabane Police Station, is currently arrested for allegedly
stabbing his former girlfriend several times. The incident happened at Mbabane
Government Hospital last Thursday, where the woman is employed. In his brief
confession at the magistrates court, the accused revealed that he had planned
the attack on his former girlfriend, who is still fighting for her life in
hospital.
The police officer also reportedly stated that he was depressed after his former
girlfriend ended their relationship and dated another man.
Lusenga is currently facing three counts which include; attempted murder, two
charges of allegedly contravening the SODV Act 15/2018 and malicious injury to
property.