Mbabane police have arrested and charged a 21 year old man from Fonteyn for contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act of 2018 following an alleged rape of a 16 year old girl from the same area.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service said the incident occurred on New Year’s Eve when the teenager reportedly took her mother’s mobile phone and left home at about 2300 hours. When the mother checked the girl’s room at midnight and found her missing, she immediately began searching the neighbourhood.
Believing her daughter could be at a nearby homestead, the mother went to a neighbour’s house and knocked, but there was no response. She then contacted community police for assistance. Police presence prompted the door to be opened, where the suspect was found inside. 
Officers were called to the scene and arrested the suspect at about 0245 hours on January 1 2026.
The accused appeared before the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court on January 2 2026 and was remanded in custody until January 16 2026 as investigations continue.
