Times Of Swaziland: SOME IMPLICATED IN KILLINGS, ARSON GO INTO HIDING

SOME IMPLICATED IN KILLINGS, ARSON GO INTO HIDING
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Times Reporters on 07/02/2023 08:59:00


MBABANE - As police investigations into the attacks on law enforcement agents
and burning of structures around the country intensify, a number of those who
are implicated have gone into hiding.
They are said to have relocated to neighbouring countries, such as the Republic
of South Africa and Mozambique, after learning that they had become people of
interest to the police. Those who have left the country, according to insiders,
did so upon getting wind that the police knew their identities and the role they
allegedly played in the planning of the attacks. Among those who are now
reportedly people of interest to the police are two executive members of
proscribed political parties and about seven men who are reportedly members of
the Swaziland Solidarity Forces.
Arrested
The names of the alleged members of the underground forces, who are wanted by
the police, are contained in some of the statements that were recorded by those
who have already been arrested. Over 10 names appear in some of the statements
that were recorded by those who have already been arrested, and those whose
names appear therein are now being sought by law enforcers to assist them in
their investigations. The members of the solidarity forces were given code names
to use. “All the people who are mentioned in the statements are now wanted by
the police and we are certain that they are not in the country. Police visited
some of their homesteads only to find that they relocated after learning of the
arrests of the others and mentioning of their names during interrogation by the
law enforcers,” said an impeccable source.
He further highlighted that a majority of those who were now wanted by the
police in connection with the attacks, left the country after the arrest of the
seven alleged members of the Swaziland Solidarity Forces. The police, according
to the informer, got to know the identities of those who were implicated after
going through the cellphones of those who are currently behind bars. One of
those mentioned in the statements and now wanted by the police is a businessman
from the Hhohho Region and a family from northern Hhohho, which is said to have
assisted the members of the Swaziland Solidarity Forces with accommodation and
food while they went about attacking establishments.
A liSwati pastor who is now based in South Africa, who is said to have assisted
the suspects with transport when they went for training, is also among those
whom the police believe could assist them in their investigations.  Also
reportedly being sought is the alleged commander of the Swaziland Solidarity
Forces, who is said to be a former police officer. Despite that they use code
names and numbers to conceal their identities, investigators are reportedly now
aware of the actual identities of the said members after the seven, who are
currently behind bars, revealed their identities during interrogation by the
police.
Investigations
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile
Vilakati said as long as there were pending investigations and no suspects being
apprehended (to answer to crimes), they would continue to investigate.
Superintendent Vilakati urged those who were implicated or had information that
could assist the police in their investigations, to come forward or avail
themselves to them. Those who are currently incarcerated on charges of
contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act are Ncamiso Mabuyakhulu, who is a
member of the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), Philani Sihlongonyane, a
member of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) and German Robert Dlamini.
 The trio face seven counts related to the murder of members of the three
security forces.
Seven of the charges are for the murder of police officers, members of His
Majesty’s Correctional Services and the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF).
They also face six counts of contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1964 as
amended, for the alleged unlawful possession of firearms and rounds of
ammunition. Also currently languishing behind bars are Musa Clement Kunene and
Msindiso Ntshalintshali. They were allegedly found in possession of two
grenades, 20 live rounds of ammunition and an Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force
(UEDF) pair of trousers.
According to the composite summary of evidence against the duo, Kunene and one
of the men who is now a witness, were the ones tasked with recruiting people
from the country for training to overthrow the Government of the Kingdom of
Eswatini. In their investigations, the police said they found that one of the
requirements for recruitment was to commit a criminal offence against the
Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and obtain evidence of same through
photographs and videos. It was brought to the attention of the court that during
the terrorist attacks, members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) got
information that certain people were suspected to be in possession of
explosives.
The court was informed that investigations by the police revealed that
Ntshalintshali and the man who is now a witness held numerous discussions on
different dates regarding the current government.It is alleged that
Ntshalintshali mentioned that he would have long overthrown the present
government, but did not have weapons to accomplish the mission. The prosecution
submitted that the witness allegedly disclosed to Ntshalintshali that he had
weapons in the form of explosives and live rounds of ammunition. The most recent
arrest is that of Sibusio Nxumalo, a member of Swazis First Democratic Front
(SFDF), and his co-accused, Muzi Mnisi.
Murder
They are facing 38 charges, which include the attempted murder and murder of
police officers in different parts of the country. In a statement Nxumalo
recorded with the police, he revealed the identity of the commander of the
Swaziland Solidarity Forces. Nxumalo also revealed to the police that they
received amounts ranging from E200 to E500 and how they were trained in the
Republic of South Africa. He also disclosed the role allegedly played by some
leaders of political parties in their operations.  Nxumalo further disclosed the
difficulties they encountered with some members of the Swaziland Solidarity
Forces in the training camps in the neighbouring country. He alleged that during
the training, they were sometimes starved since there was no money. He also
revealed how they were trained with toy guns on how to shoot, as there was a
shortage of firearms.
Nxumalo also disclosed the role that was allegedly played by the late SFDF
member, Muzi Memma, who was abducted and killed no so long ago, during the
recruitment of members of the Swaziland Solidarity Forces, who were later
transported to the Republic of South Africa.  The members of the Swaziland
Solidarity Forces, according to the accused, used certain code names, such as
Marcelino ‘040’, ‘Putin 22’ and ‘Ntweba 20’, to refer to each other
instead of their real names. The cases of all the seven suspects are still
pending before court.