A 42-year-old man from Mafutseni has been granted E50 000 bail by the High Court of Eswatini after being charged under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act of 2018.
According to the charge sheet, Bhekumuzi Mabuza (42) and Nelson Maseko (40) unlawfully and intentionally had sexual intercourse with a 79-year-old woman without her consent.
The offence allegedly happened on September 21, 2025, at Mafutseni, Maphopheni area in the Manzini District. The Crown further alleged that the offence was accompanied by aggravating factors.
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Mabuza, who appeared before the High Court yesterday, filed an affidavit through his attorney, Dumisani Hleta, pleading for his release pending trial.
In his sworn statement, Mabuza described himself as “a major Liswati male of Mafutseni area in the Manzini District,” and confirmed that he was the applicant in the matter.
He explained that he was arrested by officers from the Domestic Violence Department at Mafutseni Police Station and charged with contravening the SODV Act 15 of 2018.
The charge sheet, according to his affidavit, alleged that he unlawfully engaged in a sexual act without consent.
Mabuza told the court that he made his first appearance before Magistrate T. Ndlovu on September 22, and was remanded into custody until October 7, for the attention of the principal magistrate.
On that date, the matter was postponed to October 14 for setting of a trial date, and he was advised to move a formal bail application before the High Court.
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In his affidavit, Mabuza insisted on his innocence and maintained that he had a strong defence against the allegations.
He argued that some sections cited in the charge sheet were “not applicable” to his case because “the alleged victim was aged 79 years, not between the ages of 10 and 18.”
“I humbly submit that I did not commit the offence I am charged with and have a strong defence to demonstrate my innocence,” Mabuza said in part.
He told the court that on the day of the alleged offence, he attended a family cleansing ceremony for his uncle, Gcina Mabuza, at his parental home in Mafutseni.
“I imbibed traditional-brewed alcohol and smoked dagga. Thereafter, I blacked out and do not recall the events that transpired,” he said.
Mabuza assured the court that if released, he would not attempt to evade trial or interfere with Crown witnesses.
He said his bail application was urgent because his liberty was being deprived while no trial date had been set.
After considering the submissions and circumstances, the High Court ruled in Mabuza’s favour, granting him bail fixed at E50 000 under standard conditions.
He was ordered to pay E4 000 in cash and the balance of E46 000 in surety.
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