Times Of Swaziland: MBONDZELA DEMOLITIONS: FARM OWNER CHARGED

MBONDZELA DEMOLITIONS: FARM OWNER CHARGED
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Andile Nsibandze on 05/06/2024 09:01:00


NHLANGANO – The owner of trouble-torn Mbondzela Farm has been slapped with
charges relating to the destruction of property.
This happened yesterday afternoon, shortly after the man was invited to the
Nhlangano Police Station. The invitation had taken place in the morning. His
matter was handled by the Royal Eswatini Police Service Serious Crimes Unit,
otherwise known by its vernacular name, Tingculungculu. Given the latest
developments, the farm owner’s arraignment can be expected soon. The specific
nature of the charges will be revealed in court. He was not detained though and
is expected to come to court from his place of abode. This was confirmed by his
Lawyer Nkosingivile Dlamini, when contacted last night.
However, the legal representative asked not to comment any further, because he
was yet to peruse the charge sheet. Police sources disclosed that the man
arrived at the Nhlangano Police Station at around 10am, accompanied by his wife.
Information reaching this publication was that he spent almost four hours at the
police station, assisting the sleuths with questions relating to the recent
demolition of houses belonging to people who were described as dwellers on his
farm. Thereafter, the man was apparently driven to Gege, the scene, where about
seven houses belonging to two homes were destroyed. The questioning of the farm
owner took place after mediation attempts by several interested parties failed
to yield the desired fruition.
The visit to the police station, which culminated in the man eventually being
charged, was an extension of a week-long investigation, that was initiated after
certain individuals registered complaints with authorities. This comes after
about seven houses belonging to  two families residing within the premises of
the farm (Mbondzela Farm No.19) along the Nhlangano/Gege Road in the Shiselweni
Region, were reduced to rubble on the night of Monday, May 6, 2024. The
demolition of the houses occurred a day after six security guards employed on
the farm were violently attacked by residents.
Injuries
All sustained varying injuries, which needed medical attention. The aggrieved
residents had accused the guards of tampering with water pipes, which cut across
the farm. The pipes channel water used for domestic purposes. The precious
liquid is sourced from the mountains neighbouring the farm, it was reported. The
dispute later spiralled out of control, culminating in sporadic violent attacks
and demonstrations carried out by elements which sympathised with the farm
dwellers. The climax of the raging dispute was when a security guard was
allegedly kidnapped, and his firearm stolen by unknown culprits. His
unresponsive body was later found tucked inside vegetation in an area situated
not very far from the farm.