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HUNTER SHONGWE ARRESTED FOR RAPE OF DAUGHTER (15)

By Sandile Nkambule and Sibusiso Gamedze | 2018-02-21

Prominent and controversial Private Investigator Hunter Vusi Shongwe has been arrested for allegedly raping his 15-year-old daughter.

Shongwe, who doubles as a pastor with the Jericho sect, was rounded up by the Mbabane police in the early hours of Monday for the incident which was allegedly committed at Mvutjini at the foot of Malagwane Hill where Shongwe is resident.

The rape incident allegedly happened in 2016. No explanation has been advanced why it has taken the police this long to act on the matter. He is also facing other charges (see below). He first appeared for a routine remand hearing at the Mbabane Magistrate’s court yesterday.

Following his arrest, his lawyer Derrick Jele of Robinson Bertram yesterday moved an urgent bail application on his behalf at the High Court while he was still kept at the Mbabane Police station.

The matter is before High Court Principal Judge Qinisile Mabuza.

He submitted in his papers that he is currently kept at the Mbabane Police Station and is desirous to be admitted to bail. Shongwe stated that he will plead not guilty to the charge during trial and that the offence he is charged with is not known to him.

His arrest comes after that of allegedly contravening the civil aviation rules after he was charged for illegally flying a drone at Mvutjini in 2015, a matter which is still pending in court.

Its trial was finalised and all that is pending is judgment.

Jele submitted that his client (Shongwe) is entitled to bail, stating that he should not be kept in custody for the fun of it.

Jele expressed concerned that delaying his bail would result in the police officers committing him to the Sidvwashini Correctional facility while awaiting his remand.

However, in its submission, the Crown, represented by Principal Crown counsel Macebo Nxumalo, applied that the matter be postponed and filed a notice of intention to oppose the bail application. Nxumalo submitted that his office is still working with the investigating officers as more evidence has been brought up with regards the matter.

He applied that the matter be postponed in order for the crown to file its papers after having made consultations with the investigating officers.

However, Judge Mabuza noted that the offence Shongwe is charged with involves a 15-year-old as opposed to a minor child, noting that there were cases that involved alleged rape of two-year olds. Judge Mabuza ordered that the crown file its papers by 10am tomorrow and the bail application be heard at 2:30pm on the same day to avoid further delays in the urgent bail application.

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