GREEN CHERT THEFT: 3 SHOT AT MALOLOTJA

PIGG’S PEAK – What they thought would be easy money, ended badly for three men who were allegedly caught stealing green chert rock.

The men were shot yesterday during a shootout with Top 2 Security Guards at Malolotja Nature reserve, near Pigg’s Peak. Top 2 Security Services is the security company that has been hired to prevent the theft of green chert rock from the nature reserve. In the past the theft of green chert had escalated, such that it is said to have been causing an environmental hazard to the area.

Green chert, also known as green stone in Eswatini, is found around Malolotja, which  located at an area that is part of the ‘Greenstone Belt’.
The Greenstone Belt extends into South Africa (SA) and is said to be one of the richest mineral deposits in the world. In the past, criminal gangs made up of South Africans, Mozambicans and also locals, helped themselves to the rocks, which they sold for about E25 per kilogramme (kg). Each person mined at least 30 per day, which translated to about E750 per day or even more for those who were able to collect more than the 30kg.

Security

The incident is said to have happened yes- terday, around the nature reserve. It is alleged that the men were able to observe where the security guards were stationed and decided to steal the rock at a distant place. They attempted to illegally mine the rock from a place further from the security guards but they were spotted. Upon being spotted by the security, the men attempted to flee. However, the security fired warning shots to force the men to stop. Some of the men are said to have stopped, but others tried to flee. The alleged illegal miners then opened fire at the security guards, who then retaliated. It was gathered that the men are aged 46, 32 and 33 years old. The oldest of the trio is from Nginamdvlolo an area near Pigg’s Peak, while the other two are said to be from an area known as KaNdeva.

Shootout

A manager at the Top 2 Security confirmed that there had been a shootout between some illegal miners and his security gaurds. However, at the time, he said they were still waiting for transport to ferry the men to the hospital, but due to the heavy rains, the area was inaccessible due to mudslides.
The Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the shooting. However, at the time of compiling the report, she said the police had not been able to reach the area due to the heavy rains that caused mud on the roads, such that vehicles could not be driven on it.

Government ambulance used to transport stolen green chert

Meanwhile, a Toyota Quantum that is being used as an ambulance was impounded by the police last Wednesday, when it was found transporting green chert. The vehicle is said to have been spotted around 3am, when police officers noticed that it appeared to be carrying a heavy load, as the back of the quantum was dangerously low. It was gathered that five men were arrested in connection with the alleged theft of the rock. It is alleged the ambulance was being driven by a civil servant, while the identity of the other four could not be established. However, it was established that they had been arrested and were awaiting a court appearance.

The Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni, confirmed that the vehicle was found loaded with green chert. Mnguni confirmed this when she was contacted on Thursday. She also confirmed that five suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident. Mnguni said they were expected to appear before the court. Noteworthy, in 2022, one of the concerns that were raised by medical personnel when they were delivering a petition, was that they did not have working tools. They also complained that the hospital vehicles were grounded, including the ambulance.

Also, this publication reported an incident in which an elderly female patient was transported to Mbabane Government Hospital from Pigg’s Peak. The family of the woman hired a van after they were informed by the hospital that they could not be assisted with transport because  the hospital ambulance was faulty.

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