I felt I was disturbing them, witness tells court

MANZINI – A witness in Gospel musician Bongani ‘Scara’ Maziya’s sexual offences trial has told the court he left the accused and the complainant alone because he felt he was disturbing them.

Mxolisi Mvila gave the testimony before Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi at the Manzini Magistrates Court, recounting events surrounding the alleged offence and his observations of the pair in a house at LaMgabhi.

Maziya, 42, of Mhlabubovu under Chief Ngongolozi, is charged for contravening Section 8(b) of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act, 2018.

According to the charge sheet, the alleged offence occurred on or about May 29, 2026, at or near Mhlangeni in the Manzini District. The Crown alleges that Maziya compelled the complainant to engage in sexual stimulation without her consent.

Mvila told the court that the complainant joined them when they collected her from Mhlabubovu Bus Station before proceeding to a house at LaMgabhi.

He said the house was company property used by a man identified as Mathabela when he was in the area.

Upon arrival, Mvila said he sat on a chair while Maziya and the complainant used the bed. He testified that the house was initially dark because there was no electricity, but the power supply was restored after about 40 minutes. According to Mvila, Maziya was asleep and talking to the complainant. The witness later went outside to sit in the vehicle while drinking beer.

While he was in the vehicle, the complainant’s phone rang. Mvila said he discovered that her husband was calling and took the phone to her.

After the conversation, the complainant asked him to return the phone to the vehicle so that it could charge. During questioning by the prosecutor, Mvila was asked why he had left Maziya and the complainant alone in the house.

He reportedly responded that he felt he was disturbing them. He added that the way they conversed gave him the impression that they were in a relationship. The witness’ impression, however, did not establish the nature of their relationship or what transpired between them inside the house. Mvila further testified that Maziya later came outside and informed him that they needed to collect a deceased person from Mhlabubovu. He said he suggested that they take the complainant along so that she could learn the work, as she had previously expressed an interest in it. However, she declined, citing fear.

The two men then travelled to Mankayane Government Hospital, where they waited for doctors to provide documentation relating to the deceased. After completing the process, they returned to the house. Mvila said he remained in the vehicle while Maziya went inside. He told the court that they were expected to leave for a funeral at about 3am, where they had been assigned duties. Mvila testified that, on their way back from the funeral, Maziya gave the complainant E100 to supplement her bus fare. He said Maziya was arrested several days later. The court also heard testimony from Thandeka Lelo Shabangu, who said she knew Maziya through Soft Life Funerals, where she had worked under him.

Shabangu testified that the complainant came to the funeral company’s office on May 26, 2026, and reported Maziya to her. According to Shabangu, the complainant said she had accompanied Maziya to Mhlangeni kaMabuza Funeral before he took her to premises he claimed were his property or rented accommodation. Shabangu told the court that, according to the complainant’s account, the alleged incident occurred after they entered the house.

The complainant reportedly said Maziya attempted to undress her with the intention of having sexual intercourse with her, but she resisted.

Shabangu further testified that the complainant said Maziya asked her to sleep with him, but she refused.

According to Shabangu, the complainant also alleged that Maziya inserted his hand into her panties and asked for permission to insert his hand. Shabangu said she asked the complainant to wait while she contacted Maziya. She also told the court that the complainant was known to Soft Life Funerals as a client.

Shabangu’s testimony concerned what the complainant had reportedly told her. The allegations have yet to be determined by the court.

Maziya, an award-winning Gospel singer, songwriter and producer, is currently out on E5 000 bail pending the conclusion of the trial.

Earlier this year, he announced his resignation as Manzini regional organiser of the Association of Christian Artists of Eswatini (ACAESWA), a position he had held after joining the organisation in 2015.

At the time, he said the decision was not prompted by conflict within the association but was intended to allow him to devote more time to his music ministry, including producing new music and live recordings.

The trial is continuing, with the investigating officer still expected to testify. Maziya will have the opportunity to challenge the Crown’s evidence through his legal representation and present his defence.

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