Mbabane – A 48-year-old man from Lobamba has been sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting his niece with a hammer. Fanaleni Dlamini appeared before Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi at the Mbabane Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he was found guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The incident occurred on December 6 at Lobamba Juluka. According to court records, Dlamini attacked his 24-year-old niece, Mxolisi Dlamini, by striking her twice on the head and once on the arm with a hammer, causing serious injuries.
Dlamini, who chose to represent himself in court, explained that the dispute began when his niece allegedly broke a window at his house and stole some of his work tools. He claimed that when he confronted her about the missing items, she admitted to taking them but refused to return them.
A medical report presented in court revealed that the victim had injuries to her head and arrived at the hospital with blood-stained clothes. While there were no fractures or broken bones, the report confirmed that she had suffered open wounds.
During sentencing, Dlamini expressed remorse for his actions and pleaded for the court’s leniency. He was sentenced to two years in prison, with the option of paying a fine of E2,000 to avoid serving time.
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