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NHLANGANO – A 33-year-old man has been accused of impregnating his sister (16) and cousin (17).
The incident happened at Zombodze Emuva in the Shiselweni Region, where all the family members live.
Information gathered was that *Sihle (16) is a double orphan, who lived alone after the demise of her parents.
Transpired
According to a relative, who did not want his identity revealed, some concerned community members tried to address the issue during a meeting held at *Mandla’s homestead to find out what had transpired. It was alleged that Mandla (33) confirmed to be in a sexual relationship with Sihle, as he would visit her in her house.
What is concerning, according to the relative, is that after the meeting, it was resolved that the matter be reported to the police and it was indeed reported on April 18, 2022 but to date, Mandla is still roaming the streets.
“There was a group of women who were chosen to go and report the matter to the police on April 18, 2022 and they came back and informed us that the police called for Sihle to record a statement, which she did the following day,” narrated the source.
It was said that Sihle had since been taken by a neighbour to be under her care, in order to assist her with the child. In an interview, the neighbour, Zakhona Simelane, confirmed that she was taking care of Sihle.
She stated that she was unemployed but was touched by the situation at Sihle’s homestead. Simelane stated that even after taking Sihle under her care, Mandla would come to the homestead and call Sihle as he would also shout saying he wanted his children.
Money
She stated that Sihle’s child was now two months old and the only money Mandla ever brought since the minor’s pregnancy was E350.
Narrating further, Simelane stated that both the infant and the mother did not have clothes and added that the infant was fed baby formu la, which she had to buy at least three times a month.
Although Mandla could not be reached for comment, his guardian Simon Ngobese con firmed knowledge of the incidents. He stated that he was present during the meeting and knowing what transpired was criminal, he ad vised that the matter be reported to the police.
He mentioned that he was shocked to learn about the incident and he was still coming to terms with it.
Chief Police Information and Communica tions Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that the matter was reported on April 19, 2022. Vilakati said the matter was under police investigation.