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MBABANE – “Ngubani lophaka imphi eveni?”

This question was posed by Mbabane National Court President, Chief Mgebiseni Dlamini, to two suspects who appeared in court yesterday for assaulting a foreign national with a bottle full of alcohol.

The duo, Bonkhe Dlamini (20) and Phathizwe Dlamini (26) from Mahwalala, are said to have assaulted Reginald Bernaldo Tsaumele, a Mozambican national, with a beer bottle, fists and open hands on the mouth, resulting in him losing two of his teeth. The duo is said to have committed the offence on February 11, 2022 at Mahwalala.

In mitigation, the duo did not deny the fact that they assaulted Tsaumele but said they did that in self-defence.

The court president asked the accused whether their reason for assaulting the complainant was associated with the fact that the victim was a Mozambican. He said the assault of Tsaumele was a sign of declaring war between the two countries.

Full

“What if the man had died after hitting him with the bottle full of alcohol? Don’t you know that hitting someone with a bottle full of alcohol is more dangerous compared to someone who used a knobkerrie?” asked the court president.

One of the accused, Bonkhe, told the court that they assaulted the complainant because he wanted to stab them with the knife he was carrying. He, however, denied to have hit Tsaumele with a bottle. This led to the court president becoming furious.

Moments later, Bonkhe confessed to have used the bottle full of alcohol to assault the complainant. He did that after Chief Mgebiseni told him that if it was not a court, he would receive a beating for not speaking the truth even after he had sworn.

“Kutsi kusenkantolo lapha, wena ngabe uwutfolile umbhenso kucala for not telling the truth before this court. It seems like you have forgotten that you swore that you will speak only the truth,” emphasised the court president.

Tsaumele, the complainant, told the court that he was attacked by the duo while on his way home and lost some of his teeth. He said the duo also stole his money.

Alcohol

“I lost two of my teeth after I was hit with the bottle full of alcohol on my mouth by one of the accused. I then fell and they continued to assault me with fists and open hands,” said the complainant.

The complainant further told the court that he then got a chance to run for his life after the intervention of some neighbours. He said they were the ones who assisted him in terms of reporting the matter to the police.

He also told the court that he went to the hospital after sustaining the injuries.

When the charge was read to the duo by the court clerk, they pleaded guilty.

In mitigation of sentence, Bonkhe, who was vocal on the day, told the court that they did not steal any money as stated by the complainant.

The duo was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of E1 000 each.