MBABANE – Melusi Dlamini of Mnyokane might have had one of his unluckiest days.
After being busted breaking and entering and stealing a stash of dagga which is illegal, he was abducted, brutally assaulted by a mob which later laid a charge on him, leading to his arrest prior to being hauled to the Magistrates Court where he was facing a one-year imprisonment term or a E1000 fine.
Dlamini appeared before Senior Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati charged with housebreaking and theft after he broke into the homestead of Lindo Jele. But the case took an unusual turn when Dlamini openly admitted that he had not intended to steal valuables, he simply wanted dagga.
The admission left the courtroom stunned. When asked if he smoked dagga, Dlamini calmly replied, “No, Your Worship, I don’t smoke.”
This led to Magistrate Vilakati warning him, referencing the dangers of raiding dagga farms.
“Dagga farmers are known to be ruthless. They even kill those who steal from them,” Vilakati said.
It was a warning too-late for Dlamini. He recounted a harrowing experience of mob justice after the theft.
“They tracked me down to Yemfo Bar, beat me over two days, and tied me to a tree for a whole day,” he said.
Dlamini said there were more threats. He also testified that his brother was also accused of benefiting from the stolen dagga proceeds.
“They said my brother got a share of the money, so they beat him too,” he told the court.
Despite bleeding internally and suffering serious injuries, Dlamini said he never sought medical attention.
“I was bleeding internally, Your Worship. On Monday, blood came out of my mouth,” he said.
This was a hard lesson for Dlamini.
“I’ve learned that I should rather grow my own dagga field than to steal,” he said, while the statement drew mixed reactions and a firm rebuke from Magistrate Vilakati.
Vilakati also took issue with the threats allegedly made by the complainant on his life. He said the complainants must return to court and explain themselves what was meant by the threats. Taking into account the illegal break-in and the severe punishment Dlamini endured outside the legal system, Magistrate Vilakati pronounced the sentence.
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