By Delisa Thwala
A traditional attire merchant was arrested following allegations of sexually assaulting a minor at Mashibhini, Lobamba.
This came to light after the 23-year-old man was booked at a police station for the offence.
He was accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor girl aged 17, while at Lobamba.
The man was apprehended by Lobamba police on August 30, 2024. He was subsequently charged under the relevant sections of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act No.15 of 2018.
He later appeared before Judge John Magagula at Mbabane Magistrates Court before he was booked into a correctional facility.
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The man applied for bail at the High Court. The court heard that the purported perpetrator met the minor in Lobamba. He admitted that he approached the teenager with the purpose of starting a relationship with her.
In court documents filed at the High Court, the accused claimed that during their first encounter, he managed to win the girl’s affection, and they began dating straight away.
Then, he said, on the same day, one thing led to another, and the survivor ended up in his bedroom.
He argued that such could not have happened had he been made aware of her actual age.
He claimed that she had given him the indication that she was of mature age after referring to herself as ‘induce’ in the vernacular, which translates to a female who has reached adult age and is ready for marriage.
“On August 30, 2024, she visited me at my rented flat and we engaged in consensual sexual intercourse. I was then taken aback when I was arrested by police on allegations that I had sexual intercourse with an underage girl,” he submitted.
The 23-year-old was identified as a self-employed vendor, who sells traditional attire. He said his continued incarceration would negatively affect his business.
“I humbly submit that, if I am not released on bail immediately, I stand to lose a lot of business as I have two customers already waiting for my services. They need my products for lobola ceremonies,” he said.
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He pleaded with the court to consider his application. In his court papers, the lad further argued that he was no flight risk, saying he harbored no intention to relocate to another country.
The bail was fixed at E50 000. The applicant was ordered to make a cash deposit of E3 000, with the rest of the bail amount being tendered in the form of surety.
