Times Of Swaziland: MAN CHARGED UNDER SODV FOR SEXUALLY VIOLATING PREGNANT COW

MAN CHARGED UNDER SODV FOR SEXUALLY VIOLATING PREGNANT COW
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Melisa Msweli on 10/09/2024 09:03:00


NHLANGANO – A 31-year-old man of Siyendle found himself on the wrong side of
the law for allegedly having sexually violated a pregnant cow.
This is called bestiality. The incident happened at Siyendle in the Shiselweni
Region. Velaphi Mndzebele (31) is accused of contravening Section 45 (a)(i) of
the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act No.15 of 2018, by engaging
in an act of bestiality. Section 45 (a)(i) of the SODV Act states under
‘Bestiality’ that a person who unlawfully commits an act - (a) which causes
penetration to any extent whatsoever by the genital organs of - (i) that person
into or beyond the mouth, genital organs or anus of an animal commits the
offence of bestiality and is liable, on conviction, to pay a fine not exceeding
E25 000 or be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or to
both.
Neighbours
Two neighbours reportedly saw Mndzebele approaching a herd of cattle grazing in
the fields. He is alleged to have driven the cattle and eventually isolated the
pregnant cow. It is alleged that he was seen by the owner of the cow, who was
with another resident of the area. They are reported to have approached him when
they saw him isolating and cornering the pregnant cow. According to the owner,
she was of the view that the man wanted to assist the cow to give birth, with
the intention of stealing the calf, but that was not the case.  The owner said
the man fled when he was about to be apprehended. She alleged that they called
Mndzebele by name as he ran away, while pulling up his trousers. Another
resident of the area, who is also Mndzebele’s neighbour, alleged that he also
saw him committing the act and when he called out to him, asking what he was
doing, he ignored him.
The neighbour averred that when he shouted, his children came out and they
witnessed what Mndzebele was reportedly doing. According to the resident, his
children mimicked him and joked about what they had seen him doing. Mndzebele is
accused of having returned around 5pm on the same day and was seen standing next
to the kraal where the cow was.  He was approached by one of the neighbours and
he allegedly attempted to hit him with a stone. Upon realising that the
neighbour was still approaching, Mndzebele allegedly ran away.
The cow owner shared that she was worried for her safety and that of her
children, considering that the man returned later that day, hence she reported
the matter to the police.
Mndzebele was arrested by Gege police. He appeared before Magistrate Sindzile
Mdziniso at the Shiselweni Magistrates Court.
He was remanded in custody until October 24, 2024 for trial. He applied for
bail. Magistrate Mdziniso enquired where he would stay while out on bail,
because his safety was not guaranteed in the area where the offence was
committed. Mndzebele told the court that he had an alternative place to stay
after the court insisted that not granting him bail was for his safety, as he
would be assaulted and killed as the community might not trust him. He was
admitted to E2 000 bail, which he had not paid by the time of going to print.