MBABANE – A 34-year-old man from Lozitha was on Monday convicted of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft after he admitted to taking a brushcutter from a Majotini homestead, claiming it was compensation for unpaid labour.
Sanele Norman Maseko appeared before Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi, charged with unlawfully breaking into the home of Nhlanhla Dlamini on February 13, 2025, and stealing an orange Stihl brushcutter valued at E5 000.
During his appearance, Magistrate Nhlabatsi asked the accused whether he had been granted permission to take the machine. In response, Maseko told the court that the complainant had previously hired him as a labourer at Microprojects and had allegedly promised to pay him E20 000. However, he claimed payments were delayed and he was receiving “unsatisfactory explanations,” prompting him to take the brushcutter.
The court rejected his explanation, noting that even if a dispute over wages existed, he had no lawful right to take property that did not belong to him.
Maseko pleaded guilty to the charge and was duly convicted and found guilty as charged. His sentencing has been scheduled for December 11, 2025.
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