MBABANE – A 40-year-old married malume appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court today charged with indecently assaulting an 11-year-old minor passenger by allegedly touching her on the buttocks.
The accused, who makes a living as a children’s transport driver, is also said to have engaged in a forbidden act of kissing the minor.
The court heard that for more than 16 years, the accused has borne the responsibility of transporting children to and from school. The prosecution said he was regarded as a trusted member of the society by local parents until the offence was reported.
The accused pleaded guilty to the charge. In mitigation before sentencing, he appeared visibly shaken and begged for the court’s forgiveness or leniency. He said he deeply regretted his actions and promised that such conduct would never happen again.
“I am very remorseful for what I did, Your Worship. I promise that such an act will never happen again. If I ever get the chance to work with children again, I will treat them with the respect and the care they deserve,” he said.
He told the court that he was a family man, married with six children, and also the sole breadwinner for his household. Six siblings, he said, also depend on him after their parents died.
“I have nothing since I stopped working. I have been unemployed for over a year, and life has been very difficult. I plead with the court to be lenient with me because my children and siblings depend entirely on me for survival,” he said, adding that he had not earned any income since being dismissed from his job.
The man explained that he had served his community faithfully for ten years as a transport operator before his arrest and had always been a law-abiding citizen. He described the incident as a “childish mistake” and said he was determined to restore his dignity and the trust of society.
“I am a member of the Baptist Ministries, and I have always tried to live as a good citizen. I wish to continue serving in my church and regain the respect I have lost. I am pleading for mercy from the court,” he said tearfully.
He also mentioned that despite his difficult circumstances, he had always respected the authority of the court.
“Even when I was summoned to court while hungry, I came willingly and respectfully,” he said, concluding his plea with an apology to the court.
However, the prosecution urged the court to consider the seriousness of the offence and the impact it had on the child and society at large.
The prosecutor argued that the accused had breached the trust that parents had placed in him and that the court should not focus solely on his personal hardships but also on protecting vulnerable children.
“The court must consider the interests of society, especially the protection of young children. The accused violated the trust of both the child and the parents. A sentence should be imposed that will not only teach him a lesson but also serve as a warning to others who may commit similar offences,” the prosecutor said.
The accused had been remanded in custody since his conviction pending sentencing on 19 November 2025.
Discussion about this post