Accused ingests poisonous substance at police station, dies

NHLANGANO – A 28-year-old man facing SODV charges for assaulting his girlfriend and her sister died after ingesting a poisonous substance within the Nhlangano Police Station premises soon after appearing in court.

The alleged incident took place yesterday afternoon while the accused’s relatives were on their way to the Revenue Department to pay bail on his behalf.

The deceased, Sikhumbuzo Ndlangamandla, a resident of Jericho, had appeared before Magistrate Mpumelelo Ginindza at the Shiselweni Magistrates Court yesterday.

According to the charge sheet, Ndlangamandla was facing two counts. The first count was for contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act 15/2018, alleging that on September 21, at Mathendele, he physically abused his girlfriend by assaulting her on the body with an open hand, threatening her with a sharp object and to kill her with a poisonous substance. The second count was of common assault. He was alleged to have, on the same day and location, assaulted his girlfriend’s sister with an open hand on the face, while threatening her with a sharp object and a poisonous substance with intent to cause pain and discomfort.

During court proceedings, the rights to legal representation were explained to Ndlangamandla and he was advised of his entitlement to appoint an attorney to represent him. The prosecutor requested that the accused be remanded in custody until October 14, 2026 for mention, pending trial on November 12, 2026. Ndlangamandla made an application to be released on bail.

Magistrate Ginindza granted bail subject to strict conditions. The accused was ordered to deposit a bail amount of E3 000 and was instructed not to interfere with any State witnesses, specifically Nombuso Gwebu and Tanele Gwebu. He was further ordered to appear before court whenever required, to remain within Eswatini while out on bail and was interdicted and restrained from setting foot at any residence occupied by Nombuso Gwebu or Tanele Gwebu.

Sources present during the court hearing noted that Ndlangamandla appeared visibly overwhelmed, with bloodshot eyes suggesting he had been crying. Sources allege that he may have not been aware accused that his family was already on their way to pay the required E3 000 bail amount.

Sources alleged upon returning from court, as he reached the entrance of the police station, Ndlangamandla unexpectedly produced a poisonous substance in a sachet, which he had managed to conceal in his clothes. He had reportedly come from home and was not in custody before the court case. He reportedly ingested the poisonous substance while at the police station premises. Police officers immediately rushed Ndlangamandla to Nhlangano Health Centre, but he died while receiving treatment.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Senior Superintendent Phindile Zwane, confirmed the incident, stating that the deceased was a 28-year old male who had just returned from court and was being held at the police station awaiting his relatives to pay his E3 000 bail. She stated that he reportedly eluded police officers and ingested a poisonous substance.

Zwane confirmed that he was rushed to hospital and died while receiving treatment.

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