THE arrest of three men in separate rape cases, including fathers and stepfathers allegedly sexually abusing their daughters, indicates the continued exposure of children to grave harm within spaces meant to offer protection.
The cases happened at Bhunya and Malkerns. Bhunya police arrested two suspects in connection with separate rape cases.
In one case, a 42-year-old man from Zondwako was charged under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act for allegedly repeatedly raping his biological daughter (19). The police said investigations indicated that the abuse occurred over five years, from 2020 to 2025, when the girl was 14 years old.
In a report, the police alleged that the suspect exploited the victim’s innocence by raping her in his consultation room (indumba) and manipulating her into believing that the acts were culturally acceptable.
He allegedly told her that it was customary for a girl to engage in sexual relations with relatives first and further allegedly threatened to kill her if she disclosed the abuse.
The matter came to light after the victim discovered that she was pregnant. She reportedly confided in her mother, who then involved her uncles.
On December 31, 2025, one of the uncles is said to have escorted her to the Manzini One Stop Centre, where the case was reported and later transferred to Bhunya police, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
In a separate case, Bhunya police also arrested a 24-year-old man from Mangcongco in connection with the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl from the same area.
The two suspects appeared before the Manzini Magistrate’s Court last Friday, where they were remanded in custody pending the setting of their trial dates.
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Meanwhile, the Malkerns police arrested a 37-year-old man from Ndinda in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of his stepdaughter.
The victim, a 17-year-old girl from Timbutini, was reportedly abused for nearly two years between 2023 and 2025.
As a result of the prolonged abuse, the girl became pregnant and later gave birth to a child who is expected to turn two years old next month.
At the time, the victim was living with her mother at a rented house in Lobamba Lomdzala. The suspect allegedly targeted the girl whenever her mother was away at work.
According to police, the victim reported the abuse to her mother after falling pregnant. However, her allegations were allegedly dismissed, and she was threatened with eviction.
On December 12, the girl reportedly confided in a woman residing in the same compound, and she believed her and immediately assisted her in reporting the matter to the police.
Following the report, the suspect allegedly disappeared from the area in an attempt to evade arrest, but was later apprehended.
Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the arrest of the 37-year-old man.
She said the suspect remained in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Manzini Magistrate’s Court today.
“The investigation is ongoing as the mother of the victim is expected to face charges,” said Mnguni.
She further cautioned members of the public against concealing cases of abuse, particularly those involving minors.
She stressed that concealing abuse is a criminal offence, adding that the era of hiding family secrets has come to an end.
Inyanga arrested after daughter’s pregnancy exposes abuse
BY MUSA NSIBANDE
Bhunya
A traditional healer who allegedly repeatedly raped his daughter until she conceived has been arrested.
The 42-year-old man was apprehended around Bhunya over the weekend, according to Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni.
It is said the traditional healer allegedly used his consultation room, or indumba, to carry out the immoral act.
He is alleged to have given his daughter a distorted version of cultural practices which suited him, telling her it was appropriate for young girls to start with being intimate with relatives, as part of the grooming process.
The man, who cannot be named in order to protect the girl’s identity, is reported to have started grooming the survivor at the age of 14, and allegedly continued manipulating her until she was 19.
Suspicions were first raised when it was discovered that the youngster was pregnant.
The man, fearful that the authorities would find out, reportedly threatened the child with death.
However, the girl is said to have summoned enough courage and related her ordeal to one of her uncles.
Alarmed, the man took his niece to relevant professionals, who recommended that the matter be reported to the police.
The matter was eventually reported with Bhunya police, who immediately launched an investigation.
The man was later apprehended at his homestead, which is located on the outskirts of Bhunya.
He was detained and subsequently charged under the relevant sections of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act of 2018.
Meanwhile, a 24-year-old of Mangcongco was also arrested by Bhunya police for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl from the same area.
He has already made his initial court appearance at the Manzini Magistrate’s Court, where he was remanded into custody until January 16.
