Mbabane – A man in his 30s appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court, where he was convicted for contravening section 77 of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act of 2018 for assaulting his girlfriend after finding her talking to another man.
According to the facts presented in court, the accused assaulted his girlfriend with open hands, causing her pain and emotional distress. The incident stemmed from jealousy when he saw her in conversation with another man.
During mitigation, the accused told the court that he loved his girlfriend deeply and acted out of jealousy, which triggered his anger. He further stated that he was very remorseful and would never repeat such behaviour, adding that his girlfriend had already forgiven him.
“I am very sorry because she has also forgiven me,” the accused said, pleading with the court for leniency.
Magistrate Nhlabatsi reminded the man that love should never be expressed through violence. The court emphasized that the law does not prevent anyone from loving their partner, but it prohibits any form of abuse.
“Love is not shown through violence,” the magistrate said. “You beat someone’s child who has stayed with you for years, doing wifely duties, yet you do not even intend to make her your wife — then you beat her. The law cannot tie your hands, but it can teach you a valuable lesson to never repeat the same ever again.”
The magistrate sentenced the accused to a fine of E5,000 or five years imprisonment, with three years of the sentence suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
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