MBABANE:Dr Monica Nkwanyana, the Eswatini Higher Education Council(ESHEC) Quality Assurance Manager was allegedly hospitalized a few days ago after being assaulted by her husband as domestic violence cases continue to surge in this tiny Kingdom.
The bone of contention,it has been disclosed,was a phone call from Dr Nkwanyana’s alleged boyfriend(Ben 10) who asked to remain anonymous saying he reported the matter to the police.
“What happened is; we have been dating with Dr Nkwanyana,the husband was staying at home in the rural areas after he lost his job while Dr Nkwanyana was staying in Mbabane. So I was frequenting to visit her in her house, we have been dating for almost a year. One day I visited her in her house for a sleep over and she told me that her husband was at home because he lost his job.I took it upon myself to assist in looking for a job for the husband and now the husband is working and back staying with her in Mbabane. What I don’t like now is to see Dr Monica assaulted in my name, this might create tension between me the husband because I won’t tolerate to see her cry and assaulted. Even if we can end the relationship,why is he assaulting her in my name.I even went to police and One Billion Rising to report because she is afraid to report, saying she is a public figure yet the husband is continuing with the assault.I’m afraid he might kill her”, said the alleged boyfriend.
The alleged boyfriend then sent some pictures to this Swaziland News where he was with Dr Nkwanyana,the pictures cannot be revealed for now.
Reached for comments on Tuesday evening,Dr Nkwanyana denied being assaulted by her husband.
“It’s not true, my husband did not assault me”, said the ESHEC Quality Assurance Manager.
Efforts to reach the husband proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.
A questionnaire was sent to Superintendent Phindile Vilakati the police Spokesperson, however, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
Reached for comments,Colani Hlatswako,the One Billion Rising Coordinator said,she was restricted by ethics to talk about the matter as it involves a client or potential client.
“We are not allowed to speak to the media about such matters.In such matters you must wait for the victim until she is ready to talk. Discussing the matter while she is not ready to speak might destroy her further”, said the One Billion Rising Coordinator.
But this publication is in possession of evidence suggesting that indeed, the matter was reported to One Billion Rising and that the police “are trying to reason” with Dr Nkwanyana to open a criminal case.
The provisions of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offenses Act(SODOV) criminalize failure to report abuse.
Eswatini is facing a surge in domestic violence cases, women rights organizations are urging government to declare GBV,a national disaster.
Dr Monica Nkwanyana.