GUARD HACKED, HOUSE BURNT

MANZINI - An elderly security guard almost lost his life after he was attacked by a mob, stabbed with a knife and further hacked several times after allegations of witchcraft.

The man, *Mpho who, is currently admitted to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, is lucky to be alive as the suspects had previously burnt down his home before pouncing on him while he was from the Mafutseni Police Station.

In statements submitted in court, Mpho alleged that a neighbour, identified as Ndwandwe, spread false rumours about him, alleging that he was bewitching his family and some residents at Thulwane, near KaBhudla.

The horrific attack left the 55-year-old man with gaping wounds mostly on the head, back, neck, both hands and some parts of his body.
On the day of the incident on Monday, the complainant had been called together with the Ndwandwe family to report to the police station where they engaged in talks concerning the accusations.

It was gathered that it was not the first time the issue had been discussed as the area’s umphakatsi had summoned both parties to resolve it, however it allegedly escalated to threats.

Residents

Mpho alleged in the statements that he was from the police station on the day of the incident when he was informed by other residents that his house had been burnt down by an angry mob.
He said he contemplated contacting the police who had dropped them a few kilometres away, however, he was advised otherwise by another resident.

“The resident said I should go home and confirm that it had been burnt before communicating with the police. On my way there, I met up with some people who attacked me. One of them drew a knife from his pocket and that was when I realised I was about to be attacked. I took to my heels and the people chased after me. I tried raising the alarm, however no one came to my rescue,” Mpho alleged.

He said while trying to escape, his attackers caught up with him and he fell and that was when he was allegedly hacked on the head and all over the body and further stabbed with the knife.

“I was left lying in a pool of blood. I assume that they left me because they thought I had died,” he alleged. The complainant was later rescued by ‘good Samaritans’ who contacted the police.

He was rushed to the RFM Hospital.
Meanwhile, the police managed to arrest two suspects, Mehluli Shongwe (24) of Mdumezulu and Mvelo Khumalo (23) of Thulwane. The two were charged with attempted murder and arson. When committing the arson offence, the accused persons allegedly burnt down the house and items such as a refrigerator, television set, wardrobe, double and single beds and a generator among other items valued at E40 000 were destroyed.

The suspects appeared before Senior Magistrate Sindisile Zwane, who advised them to move their bail application at the High Court. They were remanded in custody until August 28, 2019.
People willing to assist Mpho are advised to contact 78623600/78623596.

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