9 sentenced for beating alleged dagga thieves
PIGG’S PEAK – A mob of nine was arrested after assaulting two people suspected of stealing dagga from an elderly man.
The nine are from Mahomu and Mzaceni area under Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe in northern Hhohho.
They were arrested and charged for assaulting Ndumiso Dlamini and Siboniso Mayisa who were beaten with sticks and fists all over their bodies. The duo was accused of stealing dagga, a television set and radiators. Instead of reporting the theft to the police, the mob decided to assault them as punishment.
The mob appeared before Magistrate Vusi Thomo where they pleaded guilty to the charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm ( GBH).
It is alleged Ndumiso and Mayisa stole the dagga from an elderly man who is over 60 years old.
All the accused pleaded guilty to the charge. They all apologised profusely for taking the law into their own hands.
Mathokoza Dlamini, one of the accused persons, said he was offended by the duo’s actions but had since realised that it was wrong to assault them. He said he had five children to take care of and that spending time in prison without an option of a fine would mean that his dependants would suffer for his mistakes. He also said he was not married and that the children were entirely dependent on him.
All the nine were found guilty.
In passing sentence, the magistrate said he had considered that the accused persons were all breadwinners and that they were fully supporting their families.
However, he said the court was concerned about the everincreasing violence. He said such violent behaviour often resulted in the loss of life.
He said the increase in violence was due to dagga dealing because farmers mobilised to attack would- be thieves.
The magistrate said the offence the men committed was a very serious one. He said he would consider the interest of society when passing sentence. He said he would issue a sentence that would be a deterrent to others.
All nine were sentenced to two years in prison for the first and second counts. They were then offered the option of paying E2 000 fine for each count. The magistrate ordered that sentences should run concurrently which means they were to pay E2 000 each or spend two years behind bars.