Times Of Swaziland: Two get 20 years for stoning Qethuka's car

Two get 20 years for stoning Qethuka's car
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 SIBUSISO ZWANE on 11/03/2013 00:00:00


MANZINI - Two men have been sentenced to a total of 20 years for stoning a
vehicle that was being driven by Royal praise singer Qethuka Dlamini.
Wandile Simelane (28) and Vukani Dlamini (23) both from Sigombeni appeared
before Magistrate Sebenzile Ndlela on Friday for sentencing. Simelane was facing
two counts while Dlamini was facing three.
On the first count, both accused persons were charged with malicious damage to
property in that on February 7, 2013, at Sigombeni they intentionally damaged a
Mitsubishi Citron LDV with registration numbers CC 612 GP by stoning it, causing
damages worth E44 316. 76. It is stated that they did this with intent to injure
the King’s praise singer.
On the second count, both accused persons were charged with malicious damage to
property after they stoned a Nissan MP300 registered PSD 225 BM causing damages
worth E6 179. 40. They did this with intent to injure Mlungisi Shongwe who was
in the car.
On count three, Simelane was facing a common assault charge in that he assaulted
Masiko Dlamini by hitting him with stones on the left knee and head, thus
causing pain and discomfort. The incident also happened on February 7, 2013 at
Sigombeni.
Simelane was found guilty and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment while Dlamini
was sentenced to nine years.
During their previous appearance in court, Qethuka Dlamini, who is a soldier
told the Magistrates Court that one of the men who stoned his car confessed that
he detested him for working closely with the King.
It could not be ascertained whether the man was jealous.
Qethuka also told the court that he was in the company of one Vela Dlamini when
they found two men standing in the middle of the road, one carrying a tin of
marula brew.
"We requested them to move over as we wanted to drive through and also asked
them why they were standing in the middle of the road. However, they refused to
move. I realised that I knew one of the suspects who was shouting, saying I had
an attitude problem and thought I knew everything as I worked closely with the
King," Qe-thuka said.
The praise singer further said he was carrying a small knobkerrie when the
incident occurred, which he used to hit a plank next to one of the suspects to
try and scare him away. He said the men continued to shout and hailed insults at
him saying he was ‘foolish’.
"They started hurling stones at us and ordered me to draw my gun and shoot them
as I thought I was better," Qethuka said.
He said they tried ducking the stones, but some hit them on the hands and body
and the rest went to the vehicle he was driving.
Qethuka revealed that Dlamini had also accused him of assaulting him with an
open hand in a previous incident.
He further said the vehicle had to be taken to South Africa, where it was
repaired. Qethuka said the body, rear left windows and mirrors were also
damaged.
When asked by the Crown if there was bad blood between him and the boys, Qethuka
said besides what the suspect had said on the day of the incident, there was no
hatred between him and the men.
Both suspects had pleaded not guilty to the charges. They maintained in court
that they did not stone the vehicles in question. "Did you see me, in
particular, stoning your car or you are just assuming it was me. There were many
people throwing stones there. Are you making me to suffer because you know me?"
one of the suspects asked.
The praise singer maintained that he saw both men stoning his vehicle. "What you
are saying is not true-‘usenga lemitsi impela (you are lying)," Qethuka said.
Mlungisi Shongwe, an employee of the Swaziland Electricity Company also led
evidence and told the court that he had found the men stoning Qethuka’s
vehicle.
The men who were in the company of Qethuka, Masiko and Veli also led evidence
and narrated to the court how the incident occurred. However, the suspects did
not have any questions for both witnesses.
The court found them guilty as charged and for count one, they were sentenced to
five years in prison without an option of a fine while for count two they were
sentenced to four years in prison without and option of a fine.
Simelane was also sentenced to two more years without an option of a fine for
his third count.
Sentences were to run consecutively, which means Simelane would spend 11 years
in prison while Dlamini will spend nine years.