Two primary pupils miss four weeks of classes
DENIED RIGHT: Flee home for safety because father embroiled in land dispute
Gwebu feared his land could have been sold behind his back. For safety reasons, he decided to escape with his children to a place unknown to his enemies.
MBABANE – As enshrined in the Constitution, every child has a right to education.
However, two pupils have been denied this fundamental human right in the Shiselweni Region
While other children are in school for the first term of the Eswatini school calendar, the two learners fled their home for safety, because their father is embroiled in a land dispute.
Trouble started when their father, Sibusiso Gwebu of Mkhondvo, fled the area with his children.
He alleged that he was evicted from the area, but police who detained him for two days and later released him, called on him to tell the whole truth.
Gwebu was detained at KaPhunga Police Station.
He said he feared his land might have been sold behind his back. For safety reasons, he decided to escape with his children to a place unknown to his enemies.
His decision has negative consequences as the two pupils have not been in school since February 22, 2024.
His children are doing Grade IV and Grade VI respectively.
When asked why he opted for the children to stop going to school, Gwebu said he made the decision out of fear.
He revealed that he was detained at KaPhunga Police Station from February 20,2024 and was set free two days later.
According to the Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, Gwebu faced three charges.
Mnguni confirmed that the arrest of Gwebu did occur, but added that Gwebu was being economical with the truth.
CHARGES
Mnguni, in an interview, said Gwebu was aware of the charges levelled against him.
She said he was arrested and charged with assault of a police officer whom he allegedly stabbed.
She explained that he also resisted arrest.
Lastly, the police spokesperson said he was charged with an offence related to the contravention of Eswatini Law and Custom.
Mnguni said Gwebu was arrested for crimes against the police. She said he was brought to court to answer for these crimes.
In the end, she said he was found guilty as charged.
Reacting to the police statement, Gwebu refuted the assertion that he faced these charges.
He said he was neither given a copy of the charge sheet nor a court order on the ruling of his guilt verdict.
However, he conceded that he paid a fine of E4 000. He claimed he paid the fine solely to gain his freedom.
He complained that he did not get a receipt to confirm or legitimise the payment.
He said he was verbally made aware of his charges. Gwebu said there was no formal charge sheet.
The frustrated father produced documents dated February 20 proving that he was indeed detained at the police station.
He said these were the only documents he got when he was released.
One of these showed that his personal belongings, being a pair of white sneakers, grey track pants and a grey T-shirt, were kept at the police station.
EXAMINATION
He also produced a blank medical examination form, which was only stamped.
The police stamp reflects that this was done on February 20, 2024.
He said a few of his family members had gathered and went to the police station after he was arrested.
He said his relatives did not follow the proceedings of the court which charged him.