RESIDENTS LOOT ALCOHOL

MBABANE – “Christmas has come early.” This was said by residents of Nkoyoyo, Makholokholo and surrounding areas who looted alcohol after a truck that was transporting it spilled it along the Ngwenya-Mbabane highway.

The incident happened yesterday afternoon where a fastening belt snapped, resulting in the load spilling onto the road.
The truck did not overturn but stopped at a distance of about 800 metres from where the load spilled; marking two scenes that needed police attention.
There was temporary reprieve to the truck driver after armed police officers responded swiftly when they were called.

When this publication arrived at the scene, the armed police officers were found warning the people who wanted to help themselves to the alcohol not to dare touch it. Some residents came with sacks and big plastic bags while others were carrying buckets as the road was littered with Castle Milk Stout branded cans.

There were over five police officers at first but seeing that the crowd was determined to loot the alcohol, more officers came to the scene but that did not hinder the residents. A few people were detained by the police for trying to take the alcohol under their watch. They were put in a police van.  Tear gas was fired at the crowd but as soon as it went off they would run and come back moments after it was clear.

It was worse when an excavator crushed the cans on the road in the process of trying to clear the road as the residents shouted out in anger.

Wasting

“Why don’t you give us five minutes to clear the road for you? The excavator is wasting government petrol yet we are here,” shouted the residents.
Initially, the excavator was moving the cans to the roadside before the Fire and Emergency Services personnel washed the road. Police efforts to control the crowd proved futile as even when they tried to use batons and sticks, it didn’t work as the residents ignored the beating and looted the alcohol.

The police ended up watching as the residents looted the alcohol. Those who were guarding the truck, however, made sure that those near it did not even take a single can from the truck.

In an interview with some of the residents, they stated that it was early Christmas, adding that they were going to drink until next year.
A man, who identified himself as Sabelo, said he collected about 100 cans, adding that he was going to host a party. A woman, who did not want to reveal her identity, said she collected about 70 cans and they were for her husband.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: