Mbabane – A released rape suspect has once again landed before the courts less than two months after being libarated, this time facing a fresh rape allegation.
Nkosinathi Lawrence Tsela (37) of Hilltop Zone 2 appeared before Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati at the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court, where he was remanded in custody pending his appearance before Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi.
According to the charge sheet, on Friday at Open House in Eveni, Tsela allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 25-year-old woman. He is charged with contravening Section 3(1), 3(3)(c), and 3(6)(e), read with Section 3(9)(b), of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act No. 15 of 2018.
When informed of his right to legal representation, Tsela elected to secure an attorney. The prosecution applied for his remand, and he was ordered to remain in custody until December 19, pending his appearance before the principal magistrate. He was further advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Tsela is no stranger to the courtroom. On September 30, he was acquitted and discharged after spending nearly two years behind bars awaiting trial for a similar offence. In that earlier matter, he was accused of raping a 40-year-old woman near the St Mark’s area on October 18, 2023.
Delivering judgment in the previous case, Principal Magistrate Nhlabatsi noted that Tsela had pleaded not guilty and conducted his own defence. The court examined his written statement, in which he claimed he and the complainant had agreed to a “social arrangement” involving sexual intercourse in exchange for E400, which he was to pay later via mobile money.
However, during cross-examination, Tsela contradicted his own account. He told the court that he did not have sexual intercourse with the complainant and only kissed her. He further claimed he had not been in the right state of mind when making the initial statement.
After assessing all evidence, the court ruled in his favour, stating that the proper approach was to weigh all factors indicating guilt against those suggesting innocence, including the strengths, weaknesses, and probabilities of each side.
Now, with a new charge filed against him, Tsela faces yet another legal battle at the centre of another serious criminal allegation.
Discussion about this post