EVICTED NOKWANE WOMAN ATTEMPTS SUICIDE IN PUBLIC

Sonto Dlamini fighting off police officers who were trying to restrain her as she tried to commit suicide. (Pics: Zwelakhe Moahloli)

MANZINI – In a fit of anger and frustration, one of the evicted home owners at Nokwane attempted to commit suicide in the presence of her grandchildren, police and neighbours.

The drama unfolded while a grader was demolishing some of the homesteads, yesterday.
Sonto Dlamini, who was in the company of two minor children, estimated to be two years and three years old, attempted to hang herself from a tree situated along the road leading to Summerfield Botanical Gardens and Resort Hotel.

At that time most people were concentrating on the ongoing demolition at a Mkoko homestead when the children were heard crying hysterically. Government is demolishing the homes to give way to the under-construction multi-million Emalangeni Bio-Technology Park.

Some members of civil society who were standing a few metres from Sonto immediately sprang into action. Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisations’ Lomcebo Dlamini was one of the first people to reach Sonto. She was later joined by five police officers who quickly brought her down from the tree.

Initially, Sonto attempted to hang herself with a dog chain from the tree. Worth noting is that some of her dogs were also in the vicinity.
She has about 14 dogs. Sonto, who was having difficulty breathing, was made to lie on the ground facing up. While on the ground, the children, who seemingly were confused, started crying.

Lomcebo, who also tried to hold back tears, was on hand, comforting and consoling the minors. A human rights activist, identified as Gugu could not control her emotions as she openly wept. However, she managed to make a call to paramedics who responded promptly before whisking Sonto away.

Before the arrival of the paramedics, Sonto stripped to her underwear before charging at some police officers. She was heard screaming: “Ngingamane ngife (it’s better to die).”

Sonto was restrained by two female officers, who also covered her naked body with a kanga. Sonto, who lives with a family of 10, was taken to a secluded spot while waiting for the arrival of the paramedics.

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