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MBABANE - A Mozambican national who is accused of sexually molesting three minors has denied having committed the offences.
Brush Nkonte’s denial comes after he recorded a confession before a judicial officer shortly after he was accused of committing the offences.
In his defence, Nkonte told the court that he made the confession under duress, after he was subjected to torture.
He claimed that the torture started at his rented flat after the landlord had accused him of raping the minors.
Assaulted
“The landlord slapped me before she was joined by her three boys. They rolled me on the ground and assaulted me until I lost consciousness. I woke up at the Mbabane Government Hospital only to be told by the nurses that I was brought in by the police,” he submitted.
Nkonte further told the court that from the hospital ward, he was taken to the Mbabane Police Station, where he was subjected to more torture.
He stated that after having an interview with a female officer, he was called by a male officer.
“The police officer asked me why I denied having committed the offences. He slapped me on the face so heavy that I lost my senses,” he stated.
Nkonte mentioned that from the police station, he was then taken to the Mbabane Magistrates Court, where he recorded a confession.
However, he claimed that the police officers threatened to deal with him in case he denied having committed the offences.
“I confessed to the offences which I was not guilty of because I had been subjected to torture,” he claimed, while mentioning the nature of the offences which could, however, not be repeated.
Nkonte was accused of sexually molesting the minors after one of them (minors) confided to her mother that the accused person used to rape her and offered her money.
The matter will be back in court on November 10, 2022 for continuation.