A 19-year-old man accused of sleeping with a minor has been granted E50 000 bail by the High Court after applying for his release pending trial.
The pupil told the court that he was a resident of Mliba in the Manzini region and had approached the court seeking to be admitted to bail after being remanded into custody following his initial court appearance.
Ndwandwe is facing a charge of allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl.
He explained that on Easter Monday, at around 10am, he was taken by the complainant’s mother to the Mliba Police Station and upon arrival there, his fingerprints were taken and he was informed that he was being charged with sleeping with a minor.
He added that the following day, he was taken to the Manzini Magistrate’s Court where he appeared before Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi.
The pupil told the court that he wished to be admitted to bail pending the finalisation of his trial and that he would plead not guilty to the charge that had been preferred against him.
“I will plead not guilty to the charge because I am innocent of the charge levelled against me,” he said, adding that he had fully cooperated with the police during their investigations.
He further submitted that he had strong family ties in the Kingdom of Eswatini and was not a flight risk.
He said he was a resident of Luve in Manzini where he lives with his family.
The pupil also informed the court that he was 19 years old and had aspirations of pursuing further studies.
Prior to his arrest he was a pupil and hoped to continue with his education.
“I have future aspirations of becoming a college student, preferably at the Eswatini College of Technology (ECOT),” he stated.
The accused further submitted that if granted bail, he would reside with his mother, which he said was far from the complainant’s residence.
“I am still young and continued imprisonment will do more harm than good,” he stated, adding that he was a first offender and hoped to resume his studies if released.
Following consideration of the application, the court granted the pupil bail of E50 000 with E5 000 in cash, while the remaining E45 000 is to be secured in surety.
