By Nokunceda Magagula
IT is with concern to note that violence is not always one-sided as more women are now being arrested and charged with assaulting males. True to the statement above, for instance, is the arrest of Gciniwe Neliswa Mamba, a 19-year-old from Fonteyn. Mamba appeared at the Mbabane Magistrate’s court before Senior Magistrate Thembela Simelane.
The 19-year-old charge sheet states that she is charged with the offense of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Detailing the crime, the charge sheet states that on November 19, 2023, at Msunduza in the Hhohho region, Mamba unlawfully and intentionally assaulted one Aaron Chissene by stabbing him with a knife three times to cause grievous harm.
In Court, Mamba conducted her defense. She moved her bail application, citing that she is currently employed so she needs to go back to perform her duties. Noting that reason, Magistrate Simelane granted Mamba bail fixed at E3,000, with the conditions that she will not interfere with crown witnesses, she will not commit a similar offense, and must always avail herself in court when summoned.
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The accused will appear back in Court on December 8, 2023. Just last week, Eswatini witnessed another gender-based violence scandal where a woman heavily assaulted a male. In this case, Nonhlanhla Khumalo was arrested and charged with the attempted murder of Zweli Khumalo.
Khumalo appeared last week at the same court before Senior Magistrate Thembela Simelane. Khumalo’s charge sheet reads that on November 19, 2023, near Siphocosini the accused unlawfully and intentionally hacked Khumalo with a bush knife all over his body and inflicted a near-fatal wound which almost led to Khumalo’s death.
In Court, Khumalo conducted her defense. The crown council applied that the accused shall remain in custody pending committal to the High Court on December 1, 2023. The Communications and Advocacy Officer of Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA), Sakhile Dlamini, shared her insights on the issue.
She stated that if the matter is not addressed promptly, it could escalate. Dlamini emphasized the danger when women, in response to continuous abuse, grow angry and resort to violence against men. She clarified that SWAGAA is against any violent acts towards men.
Dlamini pleaded with society to not grow insensitivity to the whole crisis and defend women when they are being violent to the male species, as violence is completely inhumane regardless of who is subjected to it.
