A 30-year-old man has been arrested for stalking his former boss and persistently making unwanted romantic advances towards her.
Bhekumuzi Fano Mashaba of Lwandle appeared before Principal Magistrate David Khumalo at the Manzini Magistrate’s Court yesterday where he was convicted after pleading guilty to contravening Section 10(1) of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act No. 15 of 2018.
Section 10(1) of the SODV Act provides that any person who unlawfully stalks another person commits an offence of unlawful stalking and shall on conviction be liable to pay a fine not exceeding E20 000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or both.
According to the charge sheet, the offence was committed on April 27, 2025, in Manzini, where Mashaba unlawfully stalked Lungile Dlamini by repeatedly following her and sending her messages through his cellphone.
Court records revealed that Mashaba persistently pursued the complainant despite being informed that his romantic advances were unwelcome. It was further revealed during proceedings that he continuously sent her love messages even though she had never personally provided him with her cellphone number.
Mashaba pleaded guilty and was subsequently convicted on his own plea.
He mitigated for a lenient sentence on grounds that he was apologetic for his actions.
Information presented before the court further indicated that the accused only began pursuing the complainant romantically after leaving the company where she had previously been his supervisor.
The circumstances surrounding the conduct reportedly raised concerns before the court regarding the true motive behind the repeated advances, with questions emerging as to whether the behaviour was genuinely romantic or linked to resentment following the end of his employment.
Principal Magistrate Khumalo ultimately sentenced Mashaba to 20 months in prison with the option of a E4 000 fine.
