Times Of Swaziland: WOMAN BLAMES MISCARRIAGE ON COPS TORTURE

WOMAN BLAMES MISCARRIAGE ON COPS TORTURE
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Kwanele Dlamini on 16/11/2024 07:09:00


MBABANE– A pregnant woman from Velezizweni in the Manzini Region has alleged
that she was tortured by police officers searching for a firearm, which led to
her suffering a miscarriage.
Siphiwe Ngwenya reported that the incident occurred in February, this year. She
claims that police from Mankayane used a surgical glove to suffocate her and
physically assaulted her until she bled. A doctor later confirmed her pregnancy
and noted the miscarriage. Prior to this incident, Ngwenya was a passenger in a
public transport vehicle when she was assaulted by a woman named Nobuhle Mamba
from Velezizweni. Ngwenya stated that while exiting the kombi, Mamba grabbed her
hair and hit her with open hands, while Ngwenya was with her four-year-old son.
After the assault, Ngwenya reported the incident to Pat Mavimbela, a community
police member. Mavimbela suggested they visit Mamba’s home to address the
issue. Ngwenya left her son at a nearby shop and went with Mavimbela to
Mamba’s residence.
Threatened
Upon reaching the gate, Mamba allegedly threatened her with a bush knife, which
prompted her mother-in-law to intervene. Ngwenya explained the situation to
them, but insults were exchanged, and the encounter became volatile until
Mamba’s father-in-law suggested that Ngwenya report the assault at Mankayane
Police Station. Ngwenya followed his advice and reported the assault. Mamba was
subsequently arrested and charged. She appeared before the Manzini Magistrates
Court at Mankayane Police Station on February 14, 2024, where she pleaded guilty
to assault and received a fine.
After Mamba’s trial, Ngwenya claims that a male police officer from Mankayane,
identified as Officer Vilakati, instructed her to wait at the reception area. He
then informed her that she was under arrest for allegedly pointing a firearm at
someone. Despite her informing him that she was taking medication, the officer
stated that due to the poor road conditions, he would not take her home to
collect it. Ngwenya was then locked in a cell around noon, and at about 8pm,
another officer checked on her. She alleged that she was not given food until
the following morning, when she received bread and tea. The next morning, the
police took her home to collect her medication.
Medication
After she gathered her medication, the officers did not search her home for any
firearms but instead remained outside while a female officer accompanied her to
her room. As they were leaving her home, approximately 500 metres away, the
vehicle stopped. The female officer opened the back of the van, and Officer
Mduduzi Ndlangamandla pulled Ngwenya out, causing her to fall. He demanded to
know where the firearm was, saying they were not joking with her and accused her
of wasting their time. Ngwenya claims they then proceeded to the police station,
where Officer Vinah Mavimbela allegedly denied her permission to take her
medication in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).Ngwenya asserted that
Mavimbela dismissed her concerns about her high blood pressure as insincere.
After being left in the CID room for about 30 minutes, a large group of officers
entered, including Vinah Mavimbela, Mduduzi Ndlangamandla, Mr Mamba, Desk
Officer M. Makhanya, Mr Shongwe, Miss Simelane and Miss Maseko.
Assaults
Ndlangamandla allegedly introduced the officers as a group known for unlawful
assaults within the station. At that time, Ngwenya was sweating profusely
because she had not taken her medication for high blood pressure. When she
informed Mavimbela of her condition, Mavimbela laughed and remarked that she had
high blood pressure but did not sweat like that.
Mavimbela then ordered Ngwenya to remove her jersey. After complying,
Ndlangamandla reportedly instructed her to lie on a bench, where he handcuffed
her. Mr Shongwe allegedly bound her abdomen to the bench with a rope, tied her
hands behind the bench with another rope, and secured her feet with handcuffs.
In this restrained position, Ngwenya claims that Ndlangamandla demanded to know
the whereabouts of the gun, to which she repeatedly responded that she had no
clue. During this time, Officer Makhanya allegedly applied a surgical glove over
her face, making it difficult for her to breathe. After a few minutes, he
removed the glove and repeated the question, but Ngwenya maintained her
innocence. Ngwenya has since approached the High Court to be granted leave to
institute legal proceedings against the national commissioner of police. She is
represented by Mabila Attorneys. The matter is pending in court.