Mbabane – A 35-year-old man from Sigcineni has been ordered to compensate the Mbabane Spur establishment after he failed to pay a E3 083.10 bill when he intentionally ordered food for himself and his friends.
Siboniso Masuku appeared before Mbabane Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati charged with a count of theft by false pretenses.
According to the charge sheet, on 11 December 2025 at Mbabane Spur, Masuku unlawfully and intentionally ordered meals valued at E3 083.10, which were in the rightful possession of the restaurant’s employee, Mfundo Manana. When the time came to settle the bill, Masuku reportedly had no money.
The court heard that Masuku’s actions amounted to deceiving the restaurant into providing services he could not pay for, thereby committing the offence of theft by false pretenses.
During his court appearance, Masuku managed to pay E2 400 as part of the compensation. Magistrate Vilakati then granted him until Monday to settle the outstanding balance of E600.
In mitigation, Masuku told the court that he had only wanted to “make his friends happy,” a decision now regrets as it landed him in trouble with the law.
Magistrate Vilakati warned the accused to take responsibility for his actions and ensure that the remaining amount is paid within the set deadline.
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