Times Of Swaziland: MAN WHO BURNT WIFE’S E1M PROPERTY BLAMES UMPHAKATSI

MAN WHO BURNT WIFE’S E1M PROPERTY BLAMES UMPHAKATSI
================================================================================
BY KWANELE DLAMINI on 09/06/2021 17:56:00


MBABANE – The man who was arrested for allegedly burning his wife’s E1
million house reportedly committed the offence after being frustrated by the
royal kraal postponing its ruling on their marriage issues.
Siboniso Dlamini (30) of Macambeni, under Chief Mnikwa, is alleged to have burnt
down the house and cash amounting to E18 000. He is alleged to have also burnt a
car belonging to his wife’s neighbour, Lombuso Dlamini, which was parked in
the yard. The car is a grey Toyota Vitz registered PSD 147 AS and it was value
at E55 000. The incident happened last Saturday at Gilinyathi area in the Hhohho
Region. Siboniso, who earns a living by driving a for-hire vehicle, was arrested
on the same day and he appeared in court on Monday. Senior Pigg’s Peak
Magistrate Siphosini Dlamini granted him bail fixed at E30 000. Siboniso
approached the High Court for a variation of his bail.
In his bail variation application, Siboniso said he was married to the
complainant, Gcinile Gama, in terms of Eswatini Law and Custom and, since 2018,
their marriage had been going through a rough patch. He told the court that, as
a result, since 2019, they lived at their matrimonial homestead but in separate
rooms. Siboniso submitted that their differences had been discussed at family
level with the intention to restore the marriage. He stated that they went to
the royal kraal where their matter had been pending indefinitely. The veracity
of these allegations is still to be tested in court. He said last Saturday,
together with his wife, they were summoned to the royal kraal, where he was
anticipating that a ruling over their matter would be delivered.
“I state that again we were informed that the matter would be postponed and
out of frustration, I left with my brother to have a few alcoholic beverages in
Pigg’s Peak. I state that I was later called to Pigg’s Peak Police Station
whereat I was informed that I will answer a few questions as to why I burnt my
homestead,” he said.
Malicious
Siboniso informed the court that at the police station he was questioned and
later charged with two counts. He allegedly contravened Section 17(1) of the
Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act, 2018 and was also charged with
malicious injury to property. He said when he appeared in court on Monday, he
was granted bail fixed at E30 000, hence his application to vary and reduce the
amount of bail to E2 000.