A woman in Eswatini, Dumsile Dludlu, is facing up to three years in prison after she was remanded for allegedly snooping through her husband’s WhatsApp account without his consent.
The act, which contravenes Eswatini’s Computer Crime and Cybercrime Act of 2022, was condemned by Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi at the Mbabane Magistrates Court.
Dludlu pleaded not guilty to the charge of unauthorised access but admitted to insulting her husband. She stated in court, “I did insult him, but it wasn’t as severe as what’s in the police statement.” The police statement had described her insults as more severe than Dludlu acknowledged.
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The Computer Crime and Cybercrime Act criminalises the unauthorised access of digital devices, and violators face fines or imprisonment of up to three years. Dludlu’s trial is set to resume on March 10, 2025. The Act aims to protect individuals’ digital privacy and prevent unauthorised intrusions into personal communication.
Eswatini Communications Commission CEO, Prince Mvilawemphi, has warned that accessing a partner’s cellphone is now considered a criminal offence in the country, with fines reaching up to E300,000.
