Rapist husbands targeted

eSwatini is ramping up rights for married women, enforcing the charge of rape against offending husbands – a taboo in the conservative society. Last week, 34-year-old Nhlanhla Dlamini became the first man to be arrested and charged with rape for having sexual intercourse with his wife without her consent. Relying on the 2018 Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act, which criminalises non-consensual sex between a husband and wife, police detained Dlamini and charged him with rape. A report on the News24 site notes that he was granted R50 000 bail by the High Court in Mbabane and is expected to appear again early this week. 'It's the first one (case) to be recorded and be heard in open court,' said Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse spokesperson Slindelo Nkosi. First-time offenders are likely to be sentenced to up to 20 years in jail, while repeat rapists can get up to 30 years.

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