Times Of Swaziland: BEMANTI HELD MY FAMILY HOSTAGE  FOR AN HOUR – BUSINESSWOMAN

BEMANTI HELD MY FAMILY HOSTAGE  FOR AN HOUR – BUSINESSWOMAN
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 BY JOSEPH ZULU  on 23/11/2015 06:01:00


PIGG’S PEAK – A businesswoman, her daughter and helper have been left
traumatised after members of the water party, also known as bemanti, allegedly
held her family hostage for about an hour.
Thembi Shongwe, her daughter and helper were only released after they had paid
E70, an hour later.
Shongwe alleged that the family was ordered not to leave the premises of her
homestead while bemanti allegedly kept guard near the gate.
The alleged drama unfolded at Shongwe’s home around Mhlatane Village on Friday
when bemanti were passing through the area.
Shongwe alleged that the incident left her traumatised such that she was unable
to do anything on that day. “I had to cancel my appointments and this cost me
a fortune,” said Shongwe.
She said on the day of the alleged confrontation, bemanti entered her premises
at around 9am but she was not home at the time.
Her daughter, *Miranda was, however, at home with the house helper.
Barking dogs at the homestead are said to have alerted the maid that there were
people outside.
The helper is then said to have gone outside only to find two men ordering her
to sit down. They are then alleged to have asked her where the owner of the
house was.
She is said to have told them that her ‘madam’ was not at home.
The men are then said to have asked her who else lived in the houses within the
homestead.
She is alleged to have told them that no other person was around other than her
boss’ daughter. The men are then alleged to have asked her to allow them to
pass through.
The maid, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she then went to look for E2
so she could give it to them to allow them to pass through.
As she did that, *Miranda is said to have wondered what was happening outside
and decided to go out and investigate.
Miranda was wearing pyjamas at the time when she exited the house, angering
bemanti, who questioned why she was wearing pants.