FOREST SEX TURNS PRICEY: DUO REMANDED AFTER EXTORTING LOVEBIRDS

NHLANGANO – A romantic tryst in the secluded Saligna Commercial Forest took a dramatic and costly, turn for one couple, landing two men in hot water.

What began as a moment of passion swiftly morphed into a shakedown, leaving the lovebirds lighter in the wallet and two men facing jail time.

Mfundo Siphepho (32), a welder, and Wandile Manana (43), an employee of Zheng Yong, found themselves before Senior Magistrate Jabulani Maphalala, pleading guilty to extortion.

The prosecution revealed a tale of forbidden love and opportunistic extortion. On February 28, 2025, Nokuphila Maduna and Aphelele Maseko sought the privacy of the forest for a moment of passion.

Opportunity

Little did they know, their idyllic scene was about to be rudely interrupted. Siphepho and Manana stumbled upon the couple, and instead of discreetly moving on, saw a golden opportunity.

“Pay us E2 000, or we’ll call the police,” they allegedly threatened, turning a private moment into a public ordeal.

The couple, caught red-handed, was forced to comply, ultimately parting with E800.

In court, the accused attempted to paint themselves as moral guardians, claiming they merely wanted to stop ‘wrongdoing’. Siphepho, a father of two, claimed he was ‘preventing damage’, while Manana, father of six, echoed the sentiment. However, the magistrate was not buying it. “If you were so concerned about morality, why demand money?” the magistrate challenged.

Manana, flustered, admitted the cash proved too tempting. He also clarified that the couple initially delivered E600, not E800, and stated that the men first wanted to call the couples parents, as they were the same age as his own children. He assured the court they would repay the full amount. Both men apologised, pleading ignorance of the law and begging for leniency. But the court was not swayed. Siphepho and Manana were remanded in custody, awaiting sentencing on March 21, 2025. It appears their attempt to cash in on someone else’s romance has landed them a far less romantic fate.

In a case reminiscent of a similar incident from the previous year, also occurring in the vicinity of Nhlangano, two individuals were convicted for public indecency. Wandile Dlamini (24), of Mampondweni, and Luyanda Nxumalo (18), of Khiza, faced charges stemming from an encounter in Nhlangano Town park on December 12, 2024.

Morals

According to court records, the couple admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse within the public park, acts deemed to have ‘depraved the morals of others and outraged the public’s sense of decency’. Both Dlamini and Nxumalo pleaded guilty at their initial court appearance, expressing remorse for their actions.

During sentencing, Acting Magistrate Sifiso Ngwenya addressed the defendants, particularly Nxumalo, emphasising the potential she possessed. He cautioned against repeating such behavior, and provided Dlamini with alternative locations for such activity. The magistrate expressed his hope that the time spent in custody would serve as a strong deterrent.

Ultimately, both defendants received sentences of two years imprisonment, with the option of a E2 000 fine. This case serves as a reminder of a recurring issue within the Nhlangano community, echoing similar events from the recent past.

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