Times Of Swaziland: ARSONISTS MISGUIDED, LACK UNDERSTANDING IN POLITICS - MP MARWICK

ARSONISTS MISGUIDED, LACK UNDERSTANDING IN POLITICS - MP MARWICK
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Sithembile Hlatshwayo on 12/05/2022 09:00:00


EZULWINI – Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament (MP) Marwick Khumalo, has
attributed the recent arson attack at his home to people who were misguided and
lacked understanding in politics.
This was after unkown arsonists set alight a vehicle, an Isuzu bakkie, and a
rondavel in the wee hours of yesterday at Khumalo’s home. The rondavel is a
few metres away from the main house, and the damage caused is estimated to be
over E200 000. The legislator said he did not know what these people think they
would achieve by burning his property. He is the latest victim of a spate of
arson attacks which have been happening in the country. According to Khumalo, a
flammable substance was used to burn the property. The MP said they were asleep
when the incident took place, adding that the arsonists used an opening,
possibly within the fence. He said his son, who immediately woke up following
noise caused by barking dogs, raised the alarm.
Shouting
According to Khumalo, his son was heard shouting that they were under attack.
Immediately, he said they woke up to put out the fire, which they contained
using a hose pipe. “The fire was still burning on the roof (of the
rondavel),” he said. However, he said the bakkie belonging to his helper,
which was parked close to the rondavel, could not be saved as it was extensively
burnt. The MP stated that there was not much damage inside the rondavel as the
fire had not penetrated the thatched roof. “Only the thatched grass roofing
and poles were burnt,” he said. Khumalo said the rondavel was used as a
storeroom to keep items they no longer used. He said following the fire, they
removed the items.
When asked whether there could be a motive behind the arson, Khumalo said he
thought it was just people who were misguided. The MP noted that in politics,
some people did not understand things clearly. Recently, an Isuzu truck
belonging to Sive Siyinqaba National Movement Acting Chairperson, Ngom’yayona
Gamedze, was burnt beyond repair while parked at a garage at Trelawney Park,
Manzini. This happened barely a month after his Mercedes-Benz was also torched
at his home at Mfabantfu. When reached for comment, Chief Police Information and
Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the incident.
Vilakati said no one had been arrested yet as police were still conducting
investigations.