Africa-Press – Eswatini. Magistrates Court Four South African men and a LiSwati were reportedly severely assaulted by soldiers for illegally crossing into the country on Sunday.
The South Africans Vusi Mabaso (40), Sabelo Mdluli (32), Sandile Mchunu (34) and Sifiso Masitela (27) and Siza Mbuso Dlamini (23), appeared at the magistrate’s court yesterday charged with contravening Section 14 (2) (c) of the Immigration Act 17/1982. The men, who were visibly limping and constantly leaning on the other told the court that their injuries were a result of the assault by soldiers, whom they said later handed them over to the police.
The stated that, after the incident, they were taken to the hospital by the police where they received treatment.
The assault is said to have taken place at the Ngwenya border line where the soldiers are based. Appearing before magistrate Simo Simelane, the accused explained that they were mercilessly assaulted by these soldiers.
One of the suspects, Mabaso told the court that he wanted to check on his family in the country, which is why he used the illegal crossing.
He pleaded for the court’s leniency, stating that he was unemployed and a father to three children. Mdluli, during mitigation, told the court that he had come to the country to fix a vehicle. He also stated that he was unemployed and a father to three school going children, while Mchunu said he had come to check on his girlfriend and also his children.
The four South African men were fortunate, as they were cautioned and discharged.
It was however a different story for Dlamini who told the court that his passport had expired hence he resorted to use the illegal crossing. He was sentenced to two months in prison with a fine option of E400. The incident follows that of a 21 year-old Liswati who was allegedly shot dead by a South African police officer in the same area.
According to sources, this happened before the five men were allegedly assaulted by the soldiers. According to an anonymous source, the deceased aged 21 years was in the business of helping people illegally cross to and from the neighbouring country.
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