DUO COULD HELP CRACK INYATSI, OTHER ARSON ATTACKS – CROWN

MANZINI – The Crown believes that the suspects who were allegedly involved in the burning of a vehicle belonging to the Times of Eswatini may assist police in investigating a litany of offences of arson, which include three Inyatsi Construction sites that were affected.

This is part of the application brought to court by the Crown when applying that Simanga Sigwili Vilakati (27) of Ndinda and Thandokuhle Galimese Dlamini (39) should be remanded in police custody. The two accused persons were arrested for allegedly damaging a white Isuzu LDV registered BSD 931 CH, belonging to the Times of Eswatini. It was in the lawful possession of Khulekani Dlamini. The car was burnt on February 22, 2022 at Nyakeni.

Injury

The pair appeared before Senior Manzini Magistrate Nonhlanhla Dlamini and was charged with malicious injury to property. The accused persons were represented by Lawyer Mathokoza Mbhamali. The Crown submitted that it was in the interest of justice that the accused persons be remanded in police custody. It further submitted that there was another arson attack at Madlangemphisi Member of Parliament (MP) Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo’s homestead. The Crown added that there was another arson attack at Matsapha Police Camp, and all these were under investigation.

“The modus operandi of the charge which they are facing is the same that was used in the attacks that have just been mentioned before this honourable court,” the Crown submitted. It elaborated that investigations had not yet been concluded. The Crown also noted that one of the sites were outside Manzini Region, which made it difficult for police to be in a position to have the accused persons attending. Meanwhile, the Crown submitted that the police were professional in their conduct. It highlighted that the court may inspect the accused persons when they returned, to see if they were in the same condition that they appeared in court.

Rights

In addition, the Crown undertook that their basic human rights would be upheld for as long as they were in police custody. It stated that they would be allowed to take a bath as and when the need arose. It submitted that the accused persons would be allowed to make a phone call and speak to their families at least once in a day.The Crown stated that they were currently kept at Matsapha Police Station.“May the court release them into the custody of the station commander in charge of Matsapha police station, who shall be responsible, together with the Manzini Regional Criminal Investigation Mr Hlophe, to ensure their safety and their upkeep, and that they are brought before the court on Friday the 1st of July alive and well,” the Crown submitted.

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