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BEMANTI HELD MY FAMILY HOSTAGE FOR AN HOUR – BUSINESSWOMAN

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image Thembi Shongwe who alleged she was taken advantage of because she is a single mum. (Left) The two members of the water party (Bemanti) who were allegedly involved in the incident. (Courtesy pics)

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.

Comments (13 posted):

Semmo Dlamean on 23/11/2015 09:03:56
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Are thy suppose to demand...this is abuse. I love my culture but not ths way
Glenrose on 23/11/2015 09:04:12
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I witnessed bemanti snatching a baby from a mother because of imbeleko. The poor baby was screaming it's lungs out. He kept walking away with the screaming baby. I think the mother did not have money.It was a while before the screaming baby was returned after I saw a young man giving them something. If this is culture then it has no place in the civilized world. Because of what I saw I believe Thembi Shongwe's story.
anonymous on 23/11/2015 10:38:48
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who in Swaziland is so primitive not to know pijamas. if not in the traditional regalia they are in pijamas. if not they will scare away the ancestors when they visit them during their sleep
dlamini-dlamini on 23/11/2015 13:21:13
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Kufundziswa kuphi-ke ngalabemanti kutsi kwentiwanjani nawuhlangana nabo nekutsi babonakala ngani?
Sesidziniwe ngulabosidlani labagcwele lelive labanyundza ligama leNgwenyama ngoba konkhe kusola bese kubhekiswa kuyo. Umuntfu lowenta lutfo egameni leNgwenyama akayakhele kubantfu hhayi kuyinyundzela. Asekutsi swe! Kutsi nya!
Angela on 23/11/2015 14:23:19
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long time ago, sisakhula tsine bemanti didn't do what they are doing now, who so ever is in charge of them please akabayale because kutogcina kufe umuntfu the way they conduct themselves.
J.G on 23/11/2015 14:26:48
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lamadvodza lawa ayedzelela I saw them holding hostage a woman labankhandze angakagcoki sidziya. mine lekami ngivele ngikhumule labobhova ngingene endlini.
Wiseman on 23/11/2015 15:40:31
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there go around demanding food who sends them to do what? does that benefit the ordinary Swazi if not the person responsible (who sent them) must cover their travelling expenses.
We love our culture but it must not be static
Swane on 23/11/2015 16:01:00
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sebaphela bemanti, lokutsatsa emasotja nema warder ayiswe emantini akusiko. kufuneka emajaha asemalawini hhayi lomsangano lona.
tema dlamini on 23/11/2015 16:18:07
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INGWENYAMA AYIKABATFUMI KUTSI BENTE LOMHLOLO LONA. ASHONAPHI EMAJAHA LAMADZALA LEBEKAHLONIPHA LOMSEBENTI WEMAKHOSI?
lindiwe on 23/11/2015 17:36:17
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its real real unfair guys this people are not sent for an abuse but just for Kings duties

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