SUICIDAL COP: I PLANNED TO STAB EX-LOVER

MBABANE - Short and straight to the point!  That is the long and short of the confession by the police officer who stands accused of stabbing his former girlfriend several times at the Mbabane Government Hospital on Thursday.

Sibusiso Fannie Lusenga (33) of Maphungwane yesterday recorded a confession before Magistrate Lenhle Zulu, where he disclosed, in a few words, that he had planned all this and that he was angry.

He also reportedly stated that he was depressed after his former girlfriend, Nontokozo Hlophe of Mayiwane, ended their relationship and dated another man.

Resentment

The law enforcer, who is now an accused, is said to have disclosed that he was harbouring resentment against his former girlfriend hence he decided to attack her at her workplace seeking revenge.
The confession, which was made before Magistrate Lenhle Zulu, lasted for less than 30 minutes.

Immediately after being ushered out of the magistrate’s chambers, Lusenga asked to be given a few minutes to smoke before boarding the police van. From arrival until he left the court, Lusenga was in handcuffs and closely guarded by two of his colleagues.

He was dressed in a hooded red jacket and a black pair of jeans.
Lusenga used the hood and a mask to cover his face in a bid to prevent journalists from taking a clear picture of him while entering and exiting the court premises.

The accused has been slapped with three counts which include; attempted murder, two charges of allegedly contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act 15/2018 and malicious injury to property.

Stabbing

In the first count, it alleged that on June 18, 2020 near Mbabane Government Hospital, Voluntary and Testing Unit (VCT), Lusenga being the boyfriend to Hlophe, allegedly unlawfully and physically abused her by stabbing her with a knife several times all over her body.
It alleged that such conduct harmed and caused imminent harm to the safety, health, well-being of Hlophe.

On the same day, the accused is said to have at about 11:45am near Mbabane Government Hospital, Voluntary Counselling Testing Unit (VCT), breached a protection order issued on June 10, 2020 and in the process impaired the dignity and repute of the court.
The last charge is that of malicious injury to property, which he reportedly committed on June 7, 2020. 
Wrongfully
In this charge, it is alleged that Lusenga wrongfully and with intent, broke a door handle valued at E450 belonging to Mbabane Burial.
Eswatini News has established that over a week ago, the girlfriend, Nontokozo Hlophe, approached the Mbabane magistrate for a peace binding order against Lusenga.   
During the peace binding which was before Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati, Hlophe disclosed how she allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of Lusenga.
 Hlophe told the court that Lusenga was abusive in that he would assault her. According to Hlophe, Lusenga would at times chase her out of the house at night.
She told the court that she decided to move and reside with her brother.
“We failed to reconcile but he continued with his violent conduct.  The past weekend he came to my place and enquired about Mpendulo Siwela. He also took my cellphone since he was intoxicated,” narrated Hlophe to the court.
Hlophe said she tried to call the police but they did not assist him as they did not come to her rescue.
Burnt
“I discovered that my place of abode has been broken into and that some of my items were stolen and some were burnt. I reported to the police and I would like the court to assist me by ordering Lusenga to compensate me for the damage of my property,” she submitted.  She further pleaded with the court to issue a restraining order against Lusenga.
The accused was yesterday remanded to custody until June 26, 2020 pending his committal to the High Court.
When his right of legal representation was explained to him, he informed the court that he would consider hiring a lawyer to represent him.
Lusenga was advised that in the event he was desirous to be admitted to bail he was at liberty to approach the High Court for same.
The Crown was represented by Senior Prosecutor Christophe Sibandze while the accused was in person.

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