SNUS DEPUTY SG HELD FOR RAPE OF PUPIL (8)

MANZINI - SNUS deputy secretary general (SG) has been arrested for allegedly raping an eight-year-old pupil from one of the local schools in Manzini where he is posted as a student teacher.

SNUS is an acronym for Swaziland National Union of Students. Ayanda Mncedisi Mhlongo (28) of Mganwini has been arrested together with Bukiwe Simelane (18) of Mganwini, and the former faces a charge under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act and the Pharmacy Act. His co-accused (Simelane) shared the latter charge of the Pharmacy Act.
It has been alleged that the deputy secretary general raped a minor from one of the schools where he is posted as a student teacher. Further, he was allegedly found in the unlawful possession of dagga weighing 13.73kg.

Arrested

Worth noting is that the SNUS deputy SG was arrested by police officers at his home in Mganwini, Luve in the Manzini Region, on Monday. Subsequent to his arrest, he together with his co-accused, appeared before Manzini Acting Senior Principal Magistrate Sindisiwe Zwane yesterday. According to the charge sheet, in count one, the accused person is charged with the offence of contravening Section 3(1) (a) as read with Sub-section (9) (a) of the SODV Act, in that upon or about September 23, 2022, he (allegedly) wrongfully and intentionally had unlawful sexual intercourse with the minor. It further states that this happened in the Manzini Region. The deputy secretary general reportedly put the complainant at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and infections by not using protection. By his alleged unlawful act, he is said to have inflicted life trauma on the complainant, and reportedly broke the element of trust the survivor had on him. This is per the aggravating circumstances envisaged by the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act cited in the charge sheet.  

Meanwhile, in count two, both accused persons were charged for contravening the Pharmacy Act in that upon or about September 26, 2022, they jointly, in furtherance of a common purpose and not being holders of a licence or permit, were allegedly found in possession of 13.73 kg of dagga. This happened at or near Antioch area in the Manzini Region. For the deputy secretary general’s bail, he was advised to apply for it at the High Court. Meanwhile, Simelane was granted bail fixed at E4 000. They were remanded in custody till October 11, 2022.

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