Colani to seek medical assistance in SA
MBABANE – SNUS President Colani Maseko has been granted an order permitting him to seek specialised medical attention and be attended to by a psychologist in South Africa, after he was assaulted by soldiers on May 17, 2022.
Since his travel document is kept by the police, as per his bail conditions, he approached the High Court on Wednesday with urgency to have it released to him.
He wanted the travel document to be released to his possession in order to travel to the Republic of South Africa to seek further medical assistance. Acting Judge Thami Lawrence Dlamini granted the order. The court also ordered the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) president to provide proof that he required specialised medical assistance.
Represented
Maseko, who was represented by Mathokoza Mbhamali of Mbhamali Attorneys, told the court that on May 17, 2022, during a students’ protest at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), Kwaluseni Campus, members of Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) kicked him with boots and made him to roll on the ground. He said on the same day, he was abducted by the soldiers and was allegedly taken to Engabezweni area, where he was assaulted with fists and kicks.
“I was subjected to being beaten with sticks and a rifle butt all over my body.
As if that was not enough, I was made to roll on the mud next to the river and my head was further immersed in the river to the extent that I chocked and nearly died. Once the members of UEDF were done with their assault, they conveyed me to Sigodvweni Police Station and dumped me there,” he stated.
The Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) student said he was fetched by his fellow students from the police station and rushed him to Mkhiwa Clinic for medical attention.
The SNUS president said he was admitted to the clinic until May 20, 2022. As a result of the assault, according to Maseko, he sustained injuries all over the body and now suffers from a continuous migraine and has flashbacks of trauma. He informed the court that during the assault, he sustained head injuries which, if not properly treated, would result in permanent mental disability.
He told the court that he desired to travel to South Africa for specialised medical attention and be attended to by a psychologist, who could help him overcome the recurring flashbacks caused by the assault. “The reason I want to travel to South Africa is by virtue of the fact that it is common cause that South African hospitals have better medical personnel and facilities compared to the Kingdom of Eswatini.”
Promised
Meanwhile, one Brendan Dillion Stewart lost E229 800 after a Burundian businessman and two others allegedly promised to sell him precious stones.
The Burundian, Gaspad Alex Nsenguyuva (52), is alleged to have committed the offence of theft by false pretences together with Mlandvo Mngometulu (39) of Siphofaneni and Sifiso Methula (36) of Phuzumoya at Ngabezweni in Matsapha. They are alleged to have defrauded Stewart by promising to sell precious stones to him. The offence was committed on January 12, 2022.