MAN WHO BURNT WIFE’S E1M PROPERTY BLAMES UMPHAKATSI

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.

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