Times Of Swaziland: 2 COPS IMPLICATED IN GOATS THEFT

2 COPS IMPLICATED IN GOATS THEFT
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BY THOKOZANI MAMBA on 13/12/2021 08:36:00


SITEKI – Two police officers based at Lubulini Police Station have been
implicated in a syndicate that resulted in over 2 000 goats being smuggled into
Durban, South Africa in the past two years.
On Saturday, over 100 angry community members from three chiefdoms namely;
Mambantaneni, KaMngometulu and KaNgcamphalala went to the police station in the
morning hours to confront the station’s superiors over the implicated police
officers who allegedly colluded with some of the culprits known in these
chiefdoms. According to one resident, they mobilised every affected homestead
and went straight to the police station to demand answers as to what would be
done to the law enforcers allegedly linked in aiding the goat smugglers in their
unscrupulous act. The senior citizen claimed that they instituted their own
investigations last month and appointed a team of young people from different
homesteads to investigate the disappearance of their goats, which were driven
out of their kraals during the night.
Smugglers
He alleged that transport was readily made available both locally and on the
other side of the borderline by the smugglers. The elderly man said the
syndicate commissioned its assignment in a planned manner without raising
suspicions among the community members. “We got wind that the team made a
breakthrough and six people were found to be behind this act. The suspects
claimed that they were assisted by police who benefitted financially after the
goats were sold. In fact, two police officers, whose identities are known, are
said to be linked to this corrupt act. After finding out, we shared the
information with the police station but nothing was done,” claimed the senior
citizen.
He further pointed out that they mobilised themselves as community members and
demanded answers from the station’s superiors following the continued
disappearance of their goats. The elderly man stated that they met the station
superiors and the culprits were also brought to the meeting to explain their
action. The senior citizen said the culprits had not been arrested as they
denied committing the crimes. “One of the culprits is an adult man and is
believed to be the mastermind. The station commander decided to appoint a team
of police officers to work with the different communities. “The law enforcers
are expected to conduct their own investigations when a theft case has been
reported to the police station and apprehend the perpetrators to face the
law,” he explained.
When asked what was the standpoint regarding the implicated police officers, the
senior citizen said the police station’s superiors assured them that internal
investigations would be conducted to get to the bottom of the matter. “We were
told that due to the fact that the culprits denied committing  the crimes and
failed to disclose the police officers who were assisting them in the
commissioning of the crimes, the suspects should remain on the radar of the
police and community police members,” narrated the senior citizen. Patrick
Vilane, another senior citizen, said he was optimistic that the meeting would
bring hope and positive results to ensure that the perpetrators were apprehended
and brought to face the wrath of the law.
Vilane said a number of homesteads had lost their livestock while the
perpetrators roamed freely in the community without being arrested due to lack
of evidence. “It is so disheartening that with the devastating COVID-19
pandemic having hit hard on everyone, people continue to lose the little that
could bring hope and life in their livelihood. If one is sick at home, we sell a
goat and ensure that person gets medical attention. We also sell to buy food but
when people resort to stealing our goats, what should we do?” he wondered.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile
Vilakati confirmed the matter. Vilakati acknowledged that it was alleged police
officers were implicated, however, highlighted that the residents could not be
explicit in giving tangible evidence. “The meeting was held with the residents
and the police to find a solution to stock theft. There are allegations that
police officers and soldiers were implicated in the commissioning of the stock
theft, hence that brought confusion as to who did what and when. We believe the
communities will continue to work with the police to curb the criminal
activities,” she said.