Times Of Swaziland: COP ARRESTED FOR  RELEASING CONVICT

COP ARRESTED FOR  RELEASING CONVICT
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Nhlanganiso Mkhonta on 03/10/2022 08:26:00


NHLANGANO – A police officer has been arrested and charged after allegedly
releasing a convict who had not paid a fine.
The police officer was charged for allegedly defrauding the Royal Eswatini
Police Service (REPS) or Eswatini Government a sum of E15 000. Wandile Mlilo of
Zombodze Emuva, under Chief Masenjana, is based at Hluthi Police Station and he
appeared at the Shiselweni Magistrates Court last Friday. During his appearance,
he was facing a charge of fraud. According to his charge sheet, he was charged
for (allegedly) contravening Section 24 (1) as read with Section 35 (1) of the
Prevention of Corruption Act 3/2006.
Fine
It was stated that upon or about July 12, 2022, at Hluthi Police Station in the
Shiselweni Region, the said person (allegedly) misrepresented to the REPS or
Eswatini Government that Bhekithemba Matse ‘a convict’ was released after
having paid the fine of E15 000 at the Nhlangano Revenue offices, whereas it was
not the case. It was stated that Mlilo (allegedly) made the aforesaid
misrepresentation knowing very well that the convict (Matse) had not paid the
fine, therefore, was not entitled to be released from custody.
Diverted
In the charge sheet, it was stated that the accused person (allegedly)
unlawfully diverted, as a result of his above mentioned fraudulent conduct, the
said E15 000 belonging to the government, thereby deprived the public revenue of
money to which the government was entitled. Mlilo was on Friday released on E2
500 bail and he would return to court on October 17, 2022 for the setting of the
trial date.