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MABHENSANE HEAD TEACHER SHOT DEAD

01/10/2022 07:33:00 Thokozani Mamba

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SITEKI – Mabhensane Primary School Head teacher Sayinile Irene Sikhondze was on Thursday night shot dead by an unknown person while at her homestead under Siphofaneni Inkhundla.

Her killing happens in the midst of an existing restraining order she obtained against 25 residents. According to Nceka Chiefdom Headman Meshack Mngometulu, the incident had shocked the community as there was still a pending matter that involved the deceased with the 25 residents.
On Monday, Sikhondze appeared at the Siteki Magistrate Court before Principal Magistrate Dumsani Magagula, together with 21 residents of Nceka and Mabhensane community where a restraining court order was issued instructing them to desist from harassing, intimidating, verbally and physically abusing her. They were expected to also appear at the Siphofaneni Magistrates Court on October 11, 2022, after the matter was moved from the Siteki Magistrates Court following a request by the residents.

Warned

The Nceka headman said he met the 25 residents on Wednesday in the presence of officers from the Siphofaneni Police Station to deliberate on the matter at hand and they were collectively warned to respect the court order. Mngometulu said the shooting incident has left the community devastated, as they had not anticipated such. He further mentioned that he got the news through a phone call, from a member of the inner council. “I am short of words as to how to describe this tragedy,” he said. The deceased’s son, Manqoba, confirmed the news. He said one bullet on the head, fired from close range, ended her mother’s life. He added that after the shooting, the unknown person fled through the gate in the still of the night. “She went outside while still talking to someone on the phone at around 8pm. They have completed what they had said they will do to my mother. We are still traumatised,” he said.

Police

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter. “I can confirm that a woman was shot last night at around 8pm. Police are investigating the matter,” she said. Meanwhile, the respondents from Nceka community in this matter are Pilosi Masina, Mazambane Mfankhona Sibandze, Mcolisi Khumalo, Thokozani Dlamini, Mongi Khumalo, Zakhele Sikhondze, Themba Mathabela and Bongani Mganga Tfwala. Others are Gungubele Tfwala, Bhekimpi Lukhele, Sipho Simelane, Casper Mhlanga, Zodwa Sibandze, Mbhuluko Ndwandwe, Mfanukhona Shongwe, Bhekane Mdluli, Doctor Dlamini and Sigodo Simelane. The rest of the restrained Nceka residents are Phumlane Simelane, Phumzile Gwebu, Mandla Dlamini and Senzo Dlamini. The trio of Mbhekeni Simelane, Sifiso Mamba and Mphikeleli Mamba are Mabhensane community members.

Those who failed to make it to court on Monday due to work related commitments were Senzo Dlamini, who reported that he was working in South Africa, Gungubele Thwala, who was admitted at Mbabane Government Hospital, while there was no report on the absence of Doctor Dlamini and Sigodo Simelane. The respondents told the court that they would not be represented by a lawyer but they would individually conduct their own defence in the matter. They responded after the principal magistrate had told them that they could engage an attorney to represent them as a group or individually.

Order

The court order reads: “Having heard the applicant and there being no representation on behalf of the respondents, it is hereby ordered that the respondents or anyone else acting in their behest, directed to desist from setting foot at the residence (homestead) of the applicant situated at Nceka area.” It directed to desist from setting foot at the business premises of the applicant situated at Nceka area. It also directed the respondents to desist from setting foot at the work place of the applicant being Mabhensane Primary School. It further directed the respondents to keep away from the applicant, wherever she might be for at least a minimum distance of 100 metres. The court order also directed the respondents to desist from harassing, intimidating and abusing the applicant physically, verbally or in any way whatsoever, in a manner that might or would cause imminent harm in her wellbeing or safety of her property.

It concluded by directing Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) to serve and explain the contents of this order and its existence to the respondents for purpose of compliance and to be filed with the clerk of the court for the return of service of this order. Worth mentioning is that this court order had been issued at the backdrop of the mob attack of about 200 residents at the head teacher’s home a fortnight ago, implicating her in stock theft.
The residents from three chiefdoms namely, Mphumakudze, Maphilingo and Nceka were on-board nine vehicles and a mini-truck. The school administrator, Sikhondze, ran a restaurant and liquor shop. After the mob was dispersed by the police, it resorted to looting stock at the restaurant and liquor shop belonging to her.

Worth mentioning is that two respondents; Mfankhona Sibandze and Mbongeni Thwala, asked the court to correct their particulars, reflected in the Court Order as the written names were wrong as Sibandze is called Mfanukhona not Mazambane while Thwala asked that the name of Bongani be replaced with that of Mbongeni Patrick.