Mbabane- In a shocking testimony before Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi, Patricia Santos recounted a terrifying night when two men broke into her guesthouse, assaulted her with a knife, and stole thousands of emalangeni worth of belongings. The incident occurred on December 5, 2022, at 9:30 PM, when Santos was asleep in her room.
Awakened by the intruders, Santos described how one suspect, Simanga Dube, violently pressed her down and demanded money while threatening her life. The robbers not only stole E 5,000 in cash but also took her vehicle and several electronics, totaling approximately E60,000 in losses.
After the brutal assault, Santos escaped to her son’s home, where she reported the crime to the police. She was hospitalized for six days due to severe injuries, including damage to her neck and back. The attack has left her traumatized, unable to return to her business, and living in fear.
The court proceedings continue as the accused are given the opportunity to question Santos, bringing more attention to the serious impact of the crime on her life.
During the proceedings, Xolani Dlamini , questioned Santos about the night of the robbery. Santos confirmed that she had seen Dube during the attack as he beat her. Dlamini, however, claimed he was not present at the scene, stating that he had only instructed Dube to commit the robbery. He asserted that he was an employee at the guest house and was not involved in the actual crime, emphasizing that only Dube and another accomplice, Mzesh, were present during the incident.
As the case unfolded, it was noted that Simanga Dube remained on the run and did not appear before the magistrate. Consequently, Dlamini was charged guilty. He was also charged with contempt of court. The magistrate ruled that he would be kept in custody until April 29 to confirm whether there were any additional offenses on his record.
The court proceedings continue as the accused face serious charges, highlighting the ongoing impact of the crime on Santos’s life.
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