WARDER ARRESTED FOR RAPE OF MAID

MBABANE – An officer from His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), who is based in Matsapha, has been arrested for allegedly raping his helper.

Machawe Mthethwa (38) of Makholweni is reported to have committed the offence in October last year at Mpholi in Manzini. It is alleged that the offence is accompanied by aggravating circumstances, in that he did not use protection and in the process, placed the complainant at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Through this alleged unlawful act, the accused is said to have contravened the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act 15/2018. He, yesterday, moved an urgent bail application at the High Court, where he pleaded to be released as his continued incarceration might result in him losing his job.

The accused submitted that on around the month of January 2024, he was arrested by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), based in Manzini. He said upon his arrest, the police officers informed him that he had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 23-year-old woman. “I deny such wrongdoing and I was surprised when the police arrested me. I have full confidence that I will be acquitted when the matter is tried,” submitted the accused. Mthethwa stated that he was currently kept at Zakhele Correctional facility. He highlighted that his health condition was deteriorating and he was struggling to respire. The HMCS officer also claimed that he was a breadwinner, who looked after his father, two children and their mother, who was unemployed.

Job

“I work as a warder under His Majesty’s Correctional Services, stationed in Matsapha. If the application takes its normal course, I will lose my job,” contended Mthethwa. In motivating his bail application, the accused further brought it to the attention of the court that he had no property or other financial interest outside the Kingdom of Eswatini. He assured the court that in the event he was released on bail, he would not evade trial or interfere with any witnesses for the Crown. “I reside at Zombodze and the complainant stays at Mpholi in the Manzini Region. I undertake not to interfere with her evidence and last to state that she is too far from where I stay,” submitted the accused. His bail application was not opposed by the prosecution and this resulted in him being admitted to E15 000 bail. He was, however, ordered to pay E3 000 cash and provide surety for the balance.   

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