8 SODV CASES, ONE COURT, SAME DAY

MBABANE – As the conduct of members of the public, notably men, continues to fuel the sting of the SODV Act, cases of behaviour that offends this law are coming thick and fast to the courts.

Last Friday alone, Judge Nkululeko Hlophe dealt with at least eight separate bail applications of suspects who had been charged under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act. The suspects are grown men who are alleged to have had sexual intercourse with minors. The suspects included pupils who allegedly had sexual relations with girls who were not capable in law to consent to the act. One of the suspects is Mdabede John Mamba (26) of Ncandweni under Chief Ntunja, who told the court that he is a sugar cane cutter and he is deaf.He is alleged to have attempted to have unlawful sexual intercourse with *Thoko at Zonke in the Lubombo Region. Mamba allegedly committed the offence on September 15, 2018. The court granted him bail fixed at E15 000 and he was ordered to pay E2 000 in cash and provide surety for the balance.

Bail

The court granted Austin Magongo (22) of Nkonjaneni under Chief Mnikwa the same amount of bail. Magongo is alleged to have had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old minor. In his application for bail, Magongo told the court that the minor informed him that she was 19 years old. He said he was in a love relationship with the minor and he admitted to having sexual intercourse with her. He also told the court that he would plead guilty during trial on June 27, 2019. Judge Hlophe heard another application for bail which was filed by a 20-year-old Form II pupil who attends school in one of the schools in Manzini. The pupil is alleged to have had sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old girl whom he also allegedly impregnated. He informed the court that he wished to continue with his education.

The pupil undertook to adhere to his bail conditions. The court granted him E15 000 bail and ordered that he pays E2 000 in cash and the balance to be in the form of surety. Another Form II pupil, who is aged 20, and attends school in the Shiselweni Region, was also charged under the same Act.

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