2 HOMESTEADS BURNT OVER NECKLACED MAN

SALUKAZI – A retaliatory attack to avenge the death of the man who was allegedly ‘necklaced’ to death in a suspected case of vigilante justice has led to two homesteads being burnt.

A mob of over 30 people allegedly attacked the Salukazi community situated near Maliyaduma, threatened to kill residents, vandalised windows and doors in their homes and further burnt down two homes.
One of the homesteads which were torched belongs to the family of the suspect who allegedly necklaced the old man after severe assault. The other is for a relative of the accused person and it is also situated in the same area.

Last Thursday, the mob allegedly went to each of the homesteads and threatened to kill the family of Sikhumbuzo Simelane, who was arrested and charged with the murder of Nicholas Simelane (60) of the same area.

It was gathered that after the threats by the mob, the suspect’s family packed all their belongings and left the community.
Nicholas’s body was found by a search party in a thick bush two weeks ago after he had gone missing.

On Saturday, another Simelane homestead situated near the suspect’s home had its family members attacked and hacked with bush knives by the same mob.
“Some were in cars and some walking on foot, when they arrived at the place, the man of the house, together with the wife were assaulted with dangerous weapons and further hacked with bush knives.”

“The couple is also related to the suspect’s family. They were severe assaulted and hacked to a point where a group of police officers came to their rescue and intervened,” a resident of the area who preferred not to be named, said.

The couple was later taken to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital where they were admitted. However, it was gathered that they had been  discharged and admitted to another hospitals after family members allegedly feared that they would get attacked again.
On the following day, Sunday, the mob allegedly got hold of a child from the suspect’s family. The child was fortunate enough as he managed to escape on the day.

A few minutes later, the mob allegedly headed to the homestead and started vandalising property before torching the main house.
Bury
“On the way to the homestead, they were issuing threats and insults and saying the suspect’s family has to bury someone as well, after ending the life of their father.

“Most of the people who were shouting were under the influence of alcohol and it was bad. They assaulted and threatened other residents they came across on the day.

“As a result, we now fear for our lives and contemplate moving to other communities where our relatives are. In fact, some people have already moved to seek shelter with their relatives,” said another resident
Upon arrival at the homestead yesterday, there were only the family pets; cats and dogs.
The main house was burnt by the unidentified assailants and all the household items, mostly furniture, were burnt  to ashes. While torching the place, the assailants would allegedly vandalise windows in the other houses situated within the homestead.
Upon witnessing the incident, most residents immediately contacted the police, however, when the team of police led by the Manzini Police Station commander arrived at the place to contain the situation, they were also allegedly threatened by the angry mob.
The burnt houses and charred remains of household items bore the sign of the shocking attack at the Simelane homestead. Efforts to get hold of the family members proved futile as residents said they had no idea where they had sought shelter after the incident.
Their mobile phones had been switched off as well.

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