Mbabane – Bail was set at E50 000 for a 21-year old man who had a sexual relationship with a 15-year old minor.
Sifiso Magagula who is facing a sexual offenses’ law violation stated in his founding affidavit that he filed at the High Court that he maintained a relationship with the minor (identity withheld) since last year.
“It is alleged that I had unlawful sexual intercourse with *Mary who is under-age. May I point out that Mary has been my girlfriend since 2024 and I did not know that she is under age,” Magagula of Pigg’s Peak said.
He had been in custody since last Thursday when the Piggs Peak Magistrate Nkosingiphile Maseko remanded him in custody.
He was accused of having committed the offence at Buhleni.
Today, the High Court Judge Sabelo Masuku told Magagula to pay E3000 cash and provide the remaining E47 000 in surety to get out of custody.
In his charge sheet, it is stated that Magagula’s offence was accompanied by aggravating circumstances.
“1. The accused person inflicted physical and lifetime mental trauma to the complainant;
“2. The survivor is a inoraged 15 years who is incapable of consenting to sexual intercourse;
“3. At the commission of this rape, the accused person did not use a condom once thereby putting the complainant at risk of contracting sexual transmitted diseases and infectios such as HIV,” states the charge sheet.
Magagula was further advised that upon conviction, the Crown will make an application to have his name included in the National Register for Sex Offenders.