King's brother jailed for rape

2006-01-20 22:37

Mbabane - Prince Mbuyisa Dlamini, elder brother of King Mswati III of Swaziland and a senior member of the Swazi royal household, has been sent to jail for seven years because he raped a nine year-old girl.

In his finding Justice Joe Gumede on Thursday strongly condemned Dlamini's act in the Mbabane magistrate's court.

"Those who commit this type of crime have to receive heavy sentences because they really do not deserve to be part of the community.

"What you did, has brought shame on your own head and also on the heads of your children.

'Won't mention the royal family'

"I will not even dare to mention the royal family," Gumede said.

The victim was Dlamini's niece, his sister's grandchild.

He raped her during a visit to the girl's house near the hamlet of Ngwenya in the west of Swaziland.

In his judgement Gumede did not mince his words when he reminded Dlamini of what exactly he had done.

Dlamini caused "pain and suffering when he penetrated her and tore her vagina without any qualms about her rights and dignity, the worst aspect being that she was in no position to defend herself".

Gumede said Dlamini had to thank his stars that the case had not been heard in a higher court.

Had that been so, Dlamini would have received a life sentence but the director of public prosecution had decided that the hearing should be held in a lower court.

Dlamini, 56, pleaded bad health as a reason for a more lenient sentence but Gumede disregarded his plea.

Family of the victim indicated that they regarded the sentence as satisfactory but said the girl had gone through serious trauma and physical suffering.

The case received extensive attention in the local media. - Beeld

- Media24 Africa