REFEREE MBONGISENI GETS 3-YEAR SENTENCE

MANZINI – ‘‘I apologise Your Worship as I was drunk when I committed the offences’’.

These were the words of FIFA Accredited local elite referee, Mbongiseni Fakudze (43) of Mhlaleni, who was arrested on Tuesday and charged with two offences, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and common assault.

Fakudze was reportedly involved in a fight over a woman at the popular KaGcina Bar last Friday. Statements submitted in court revealed that the top referee argued with one Mxolisi Banda, over a woman who was also enjoying alcoholic beverages at the infamous drinking hole on the day.

The squabble is said to have resulted in Fakudze, who was in the company of one of his friends, Thabiso Dube (31) of Mathangeni, physically attacking Banda inside the drinking hole.

However, they were ordered not to fight inside the place by the bartenders.
The two, according to eyewitnesses and statements in court, manhandled Banda and dragged him out of the bar, and further assaulted him with fists several times in the face.

While doing so, one of the complainants, Banele Dlamini is said to have intervened in a bid to end the fight. While trying to do so, Fakudze reportedly pounced on him and assaulted him with fists and kicks all over the body. A beer bottle is said to have been used by the referee to assault Dlamini in the mouth.

It was gathered in court that before he assaulted him, Fakudze said,‘bengivele ngikufuna wena’ –loosely translated, “I have always wanted to deal with you”.

Banda then got a chance to escape while the two were assaulting Dlamini, whom at the time was bleeding profusely from the serious injuries sustained during the ordeal. Banda is said to have bolted down the road near the bar and the assailants allegedly went after him.
A while later, Dube returned to the bar after being outpaced by Banda and found Dlamini’s mouth covered in blood as he bled profusely.
“I questioned him on why he had been assaulted because he was not fighting but only assisting his friend who had been assaulted,” Dube is said to have no responded.

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