LOBAMBA – A 21-year-old man from Mcaphozini area, Mlondi Mbingo, has been arrested for assaulting his girlfriend and damaging her iPhone XR valued E4 800.
Mbingo faced two counts and appeared before Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi on Thursday.
He was charged with unlawfully assaulting his girlfriend, Tandzile Mkhonta, by slapping her twice on the face with open hands and strangling her, thereby violating Section 77(1)(a) of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act 15 of 2018.
He also faced the charge of unlawfully damaging Mkhonta’s iPhone, thereby contravening Section 77(1)(h) of the same Act.
According to the charge sheet, this incident happened on July 31, 2025, at or near Lobamba Mcaphozini in the Hhohho District. Mbingo pleaded guilty to both counts.
During questioning, Mbingo said they had a misunderstanding after she allegedly received calls from her boyfriend.
The court accepted his guilty pleas and did not call for further evidence.
He was found guilty as charged and sentenced to E5000 or five years in imprisonment for the first count. E3000 of the fine was suspended and warned not to commit any offence of this nature.
Count two was discharged because Mbingo compensated the complainant by buying her a replacement phone. He was cautioned not to repeat a similar offence.
The Principal Magistrate condemned Mbingo’s actions. She told him that women are courted daily and that such does not warrant assaulting her.
Nhlabatsi stated that she is issuing this sentence as a deterrence.
Discussion about this post