FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED AFTER THREE SUSPECTS ESCAPE

MANZINI – Foul play is suspected in the escape of three suspects, who are considered dangerous, from Matsapha Police Station yesterday morning.

At 5am, the trio, currently on the run, was part of seven suspects arrested for alleged illegal possession of guns, armed robberies and attempted murder. They are said to have walked out of the police station. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) had kept the trio in custody, who before the escape, were charged with multiple counts, which are inclusive of a string of armed robberies, two attempted murders and contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act. The three suspects were arrested at Mahlabatsini two Sundays ago. When the arrest was effected, they were allegedly found in possession of a 9mm pistol without a permit or licence while at Mahlabatsini. The suspects are Siphelele Moses Simelane (19) of Mahamba, Khetha Mxolisi Zwane (29) of Mkhondvo and Bheki Gwebu Mahhusha (32), who hails from Ntshanini. They all hail from the Shiselweni Region.

Apprehended

When the police apprehended them on the wee hours of September 18, 2022, there had been a string of armed robberies committed in a single night, resulting in a combined loss of items and cash valued at about E210 000. During the commission of the robbery, a 56-year-old woman of Othandweni reported that she was robbed of her motor vehicle. The motor vehicle was a silver grey Toyota Spacious registered USD 486 AS, valued at E65 000, and it was taken at gunpoint by three unknown men, while at Othandweni.

Investigating

Also, Big Bend police were investigating an armed robbery case where at around 3am, a 32-year-old woman of St. Philip’s reported that she was robbed of cash, a Samsung cellphone and 45.42 litres of petrol. All these items were said to be valued at E110 694.88 and they were taken at gunpoint by four unknown men while at St. Philip’s Filling Station. There was also another armed robbery case wherein a 58-year-old man of Eteni, Matsapha  reported that he was robbed of his cash and cellphone, all valued at E29 000 at gunpoint by five unknown men.
It is yet to be determined if the escaped trio was linked to these particular robberies.

It was gathered from impeccable sources that the trio took advantage of an officer who was opening the holding cells in order to allow the support staff to collect crockery, in preparation for serving suspects breakfast. It was also gathered that while the police officer opened the holding cells, one of the suspects on the run, grazed the law enforcer with a knife in an effort to induce him to surrender.  After overpowering the police officer, one of the suspects was said to have banged a member of the support staff against the wall, as they walked out of their holding cell. As they left, it was gathered that some police officers, who were in the shift, sought cover as the suspects bolted towards the front desk. However, sources have questioned the manner in which the suspects escaped.

Reinforced

They claimed that it was known that security was reinforced such that even officers at the reception were always armed. It was gathered that there were also questions on how one of the suspects, who is sickly and currently has a catheter attached to his body, was able to run for a distance without being apprehended. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the escape of the trio. She said the REPS was seeking public assistance in the re-arrest of the three suspects who escaped from police custody yesterday morning. In her appeal to have the suspects rearrested, Vilakati said, one of the three was sickly and currently had a catheter attached to his body. Vilakati said: “Police are appealing to members of the public, including families of the suspects, to assist with information that may lead to their re-arrest. For any information, please call Manzini RCBO Superintendent Thabo Hlophe at 7606 8570 or Desk Officer A/Insp 7668 6833 or Matsapha Police Station at 2518 7111 or alternatively call the police emergency number 999/9999.”
She assured members of the public that all received information would be treated confidentially and those reporting were guaranteed anonymity. In the same breath, Vilakati also encouraged the suspects to surrender themselves back to the police as this would work in their favour.

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