Mbabane – Regent Business School student, Balingene Kidwell Dlamini, who is accused of holding a woman and children hostage has been denied bail at the Mbabane Magistrates Court.
Despite a five years imprisonment without the option of a fine sentence pronounced by Senior Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati on Dlamini two weeks ago, he lodged his bail application pending review of the sentence on Wednesday.
Bail was denied by the court of first instance after Magistrate Vilakati said the accused faces a serious crime and must serve the sentence.
Dlamini was sentenced after he and an accomplice were accused of holding a woman and her children hostage at gunpoint for more than five hours.
“The offence was inhumane and subjected the complainant and her children to trauma. Granting bail would not serve the interests of justice,” the magistrate ruled, dismissing the application.
The court also noted the risk of him absconding since his partner in the crime remains at large.
More reasons were that the accused had ample time to present his case, including the choice of legal representation, but had at one stage opted to represent himself.
The magistrate also said that bail was discretionary and, in this case, the seriousness and brutality of the offence outweighed any arguments raised in mitigation. He further noted that during proceedings, Dlamini pleaded guilty, although he later remained silent during cross-examination, eventually admitting that he subjected the complainant and her children to what was described as “five hours of horror.”
Dlamini who was represented filed an application with the High Court seeking bail pending review of the sentence, arguing that the trial court had overlooked certain conditions and that the matter was a difficult one for the accused person to represent themselves.
Dlamini’s attorney argued that his status as a student was undisputed and pleaded with the court not to allow him to suffer prejudice, as serving the sentence would have a damaging impact on his studies.
The prosecution was opposed to the application, highlighting that despite being a student before committing the crime, Dlamini still chose to execute a violent and carefully planned robbery.
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