‘POILCE ADVISED MY WIFE TO LAY RAPE CHARGE’

MBABANE – An incarcerated construction worker has accused the police of advising his wife to lay an additional charge of rape against him.

*Mandla (31) was initially charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after he allegedly threatened to hit his wife with a knobkerrie.
He appeared at the Manzini Magistrates Court where he was granted bail fixed at E5 000.
Mandla  was unable to pay the bail amount and he was taken to Zakhele Remand Centre.

The accused filed an application for bail at the High Court because the amended charge sheet required that he approached this court for bail.
He submitted that his wife, who is the complainant in the matter, visited him in custody and allegedly informed him that the police advised her to open an additional charge.

He alleged that his wife told him that the police informed her that on his next court appearance, he would find that the additional charge had been added on the charge sheet.

Second

“I submit that then the second charge of rape was added,” said Mandla .
According to the charge sheet, the father of four allegedly committed an offence under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act 15/2018 in that he had unlawful sexual intercourse with his wife without her consent.

The alleged offence is accompanied by aggravating factors .
The offence was allegedly committed on October 9, 2019.
The other charge he is alleged to have committed is that of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He is alleged to have unlawfully and intentionally threatened to assault his wife with a knobkerrie on October 28, 2019.
Mandla , who is represented by Siyabonga Zwane of Sithole and Magagula Attorneys, denied committing the offences. He informed the court that the charges were fabricated to ridicule him.

“I will plead not guilty to all the charges since they are all fabricated. I am desirous to be admitted to bail. I have not pleaded. I will plead not guilty at the commencement of the trial,” he submitted.

Cooperative

The accused submitted that he was cooperative with investigating officers and gave them all the information they required. 
He told the court that his wife stays at her place of employment in Manzini.
Mandla  stated that he suffered from back pain due to doing hard work and that he required to sleep in a comfortable place. He told the court that prison conditions were not conducive to his health.

The accused further undertook to abide by all bail conditions if he were to be granted bail.
His application for bail was heard by Judge Nkululeko Hlophe, who granted him bail fixed at E15 000.
The judge ordered that he should pay E1 000 in cash and that the balance be in the form of surety.
*Not real to protect alleged survivor.

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