Times Of Swaziland: TEEN (17), MAN (20) BUSTED WITH PISTOL, 48 BULLETS AT MBIKWAKHE

TEEN (17), MAN (20) BUSTED WITH PISTOL, 48 BULLETS AT MBIKWAKHE
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Stanley Khumalo on 14/07/2022 08:47:00


MATSAPHA – A teenager (17) is one of two suspects arrested for being in
possession of 48 rounds of ammunition.
The pair was apprehended after allegedly breaking into a house of a bank
employee at Mbikwakhe where they stole the ammunition in broad daylight. They
were seen by a community member who waited for them to exit the compound. As
they left the residence, the community member was said to have followed them and
effected a citizen’s arrest and waited for police officers from Matsapha
Police Station to arrive.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the duo was found in possession of the 48 rounds of
ammunition, a pistol and Rambo knife. It was gathered that there were then taken
to the Matsapha Police Station where they were formally charged by the police.
The arrest of the pair came just days after Chief Police Information and
Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati had pleaded with those
who had illegal firearms to hand them over to the police.
Vilakati confirmed the arrest of the pair aged 17 and 20 who descend from
Gebeni. It is worth noting that the plea of illegal firearms being surrendered
to the police came after unknown assailants shot dead two police officers in the
Manzini Region. Vilakati made a request to the public for any information that
would assist with an investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal
shooting and injury of the police officers.
She said members of the public who might have any information that could lead to
the arrest of those involved in the shooting (of police officers) could contact
Manzini Regional Crime Branch Officer (RCBO) Thabo Hlophe on his mobile phone
number 7606 8570 or the Desk Officer, Mphatsi Shabangu, at cellphone number 7604
3738. This was after a female officer, Zinhle Mavuso from northern Hhohho, was
shot dead while her colleague was shot in the chest. Within 48 hours after the
demise of Mavuso, another police officer, Sibusiso Matsebula – was shot dead
about 500 metres from his duty station – Matsaph Police Station. These
incidents happened at a time when annual leave had been suspended at His
Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) and the Royal Eswatini Police Service
(REPS).