TEACHER MURDER: TIGHT SECURITY AS BUSINESSMAN APPEARS IN COURT

SIPHOFANENI – The businessman who has been arrested for allegedly having a hand in the death of his wife appeared at the Siphofaneni Magistrates Court yesterday.

Sifiso Pirrie Dlamini (44) appeared before Acting Magistrate Vincent Nhlabatsi and was remanded in custody pending committal to the High Court. During his appearance, security had been heightened as armed officers from His Majesty’s Correctional Services Rapid Response Unit were deployed in strategic points. Four police officers and six warders were seated inside the court. They were part of the court proceedings until the case was adjourned. At some point, there was a brief interruption of the court proceedings as the Crown asked to consult with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The acting magistrate granted her wish. This was after the Crown had informed the court that the senior prosecutor had apologised for not making it to the court due to other pressing commitments. The public transport operator is alleged to have gunned down his wife, Angel Zanele Shongwe (50), a teacher of Mpompotha High School, on Monday morning. The offence was committed at Othandweni/Maphilingo, under Siphofaneni Inkhundla in the Lubombo Region. Dlamini was charged with the murder of Shongwe, whom he allegedly shot with a shotgun once in the head. During his court appearance, family members and relatives, including sympathisers, were present to give him moral support.

It was also established that Dlamini had been assisted to surrender himself to the police after the commission of the crime. Eight women and men, who were believed to be his relatives and family members, were allowed to enter the courtroom while about 20 others remained outside, seated under trees. The Crown was represented by Crown Counsel Gugu Mawela. When his right to legal representation was read to him, he elected to engage an attorney. The Crown applied that the accused be remanded in custody until next Thursday pending committal to the High Court. Acting Magistrate Nhlabatsi advised the accused to move his bail application at the High Court.

Appearance

Notably, after Dlamini’s brief appearance, five women who were thought to be his relatives requested to meet with senior police officers. They were allowed into an office and the meeting lasted for over 30 minutes, after which they were seen leaving. Meanwhile, the accused, who is a popular public transport operator, was married to the deceased in terms of Swazi Law and Custom. At the time of Shogwe’s death, she and Dlamini were in separation as they had marital problems. The Siphofaneni Magistrates Court had issued an interim restraining order against Dlamini on October 19, 2021. The order was issued by Acting Magistrate Nhlabatsi. Shongwe was also running a public transport business.

Witnesses revealed that Dlamini allegedly shot his wife in full view of their minor children. Dlamini had also appeared at the Simunye Magistrates Court, where he made a confession before a judicial officer. On Tuesday, the family of the deceased and the school Head teacher, Jabu Dlamini, met the Deputy Regional Education Officer (REO), Thami Dlamini, to officially report the demise of the educator.

Restrained

Meanwhile, the restraining order that was issued against Dlamini stated that the respondent (accused) was interdicted and restrained from committing any form of violent behaviour towards the applicant (Shongwe). It also stated that the respondent was interdicted and restrained from using any form of vulgar language towards her. He was also interdicted and restrained from assaulting her. “The respondent is interdicted and restrained from setting foot at the party’s homestead at Maphilingo pending finalisation of this matter. The above orders are to operate with immediate and interim relief,” reads the court order. It is worth mentioning that this incident is the second to take place under the same constituency involving the shooting of an educator. In October last year, Sayinile Sikhondze, a former Head teacher at Mabhensane Primary School, was shot dead by an unknown person while also outside her homestead  and also on the phone.

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