10 MEN ARRESTED FOR GBV OVER PAST WEEKEND

MANZINI - Despite ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the judiciary to combat domestic violence, 10 men were arrested over the past weekend on charges of abusing their partners.

The men faced accusations of either stabbing or slapping their partners or ex-partners, in addition to damaging their belongings. All of them were arrested and charged under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act. City Makama (35)  from Mbikwakhe, was one of the first to appear before Manzini Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi, charged under Section 77(1)(a) of the SODV Act No. 15 of 2018. Makama, it was alleged, assaulted his girlfriend, Nosiphephelo Zulu, slapping her several times across the face and strangling her. The incident took place at Mbikwakhe on Saturday.

Makama explained to the court that his girlfriend had thrown cold water on him and woken him up after discovering he was seeing another woman. “She went through my phone while I was asleep and found out about my relationship. She then insulted both me and my mother, which made me angry and led to me to slap her,” he stated. He admitted his wrongdoing and pleaded for leniency, explaining that he is unemployed and relie on odd jobs for income. Makama, who also has an infant dependent on baby formula, was sentenced to three years in prison, with an option of paying a fine of E6 000.

Xolani Dlamini (34) from Gebeni, was arrested and charged with two counts under the same Act for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Phetsile Ngwenya, at the Manzini Bus Rank on Friday. Dlamini was accused of slapping Ngwenya across the face and strangling her. He was also charged with damaging her Nokia C2 cellphone, valued at E1 100. Dlamini pleaded guilty to both charges. In his defence, he explained that the couple had a misunderstanding, which led to the assault. He expressed remorse and acknowledged that his actions were wrong.
Girlfriend
Meanwhile, 41-year-old Mozambican national Obadiah Makwakwa, from Mangwaneni, appeared in court charged with assaulting his girlfriend, Nkosikhona Mkhatjwa, under Section 77(1)(a) of the SODV Act. Makwakwa allegedly attacked Mkhatjwa at Mangwaneni on December 20, using open hands, fists and kicks, before strangling her. His actions were said to have posed a serious threat to her safety and well-being. Makwakwa pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of E5 000, with a remand until December 30.

Similarly, 29-year-old Brandon Olven Bennett was granted E5 000 bail after being accused of assaulting the mother of his child, Noxolo Tsabedze, with the flat side of a bush knife. The alleged assault, which occurred at Ngculwini on December 18, involved striking Tsabedze on her left arm and the back of her body. Bennet pleaded not guilty.

Lusito Seedwell Dlamini, 34, of Tsakasile, was also granted bail of E8 000 after being charged with stabbing his girlfriend, Winile Thuthukile Myeni, in multiple places, including both arms, her left leg, and once in the head, at Madlangampisi on December 1. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were also filed under Section 77(1)(a) of the SODV Act.

Dlamini was ordered to return to court on December 30 and was warned not to engage in any further acts of domestic violence against the complainant in the meantime. Lastly, 25-year-old Mongi Dlamini, from Ngculwini, was accused of assaulting his wife, Zinhle Dladla, with open hands and strangling her at Ngculwini on Sunday. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail of E5 000, with a remand in custody until December 30.

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