THEFT SUSPECT WHIPPED WITH SISWEBHU, DIES

MANZINI – A man accused of stealing livestock and household items reportedly died at the hands of those who were disciplining him.

The deceased, Wonder Magagula (22) was alleged  to have been beaten with a leather whip (siswebhu) on his buttocks and other parts of the body.
According to impeccable sources, Magagula was purportedly assaulted near a mountain at Madlangampisi on Thursday morning following complaints that he was stealing a variety of items. He was said to have bled profusely and, at some instance, requested for water. It was gathered that the assault on Magagula started at about 4am, following complaints that he was responsible for stealing a variety of household items and livestock in the area.

Confessed

The sources claimed that the deceased would frequently ransack nearby compounds and steal valuable items. During his assault, it was purported that Magagula confessed to, among other things, selling a goat he had stolen in the area at Mahlabatsini in Matsapha. Mahlabatsini is a peri-urban settlement characterised by accommodation targeting low-income earners working in two towns sandwiching it, which are Manzini and Matsapha. It is in close proximity to Phocweni Army Barracks and Kahlobile.

Following the demise of Magagula, three suspects were arrested. The suspects were charged with murder and yesterday they appeared at the Pigg’s Peak Magistrates Court, where they were remanded in custody. The suspects are Jones Maseko (52), Siboniso Charles Mkhwanazi (37) and Mzwandile Sifiso Mtsetfwa (30). They are all subjects of Chief Mdvuba of Madlangampisi. According to the charge sheet, they were accused of allegedly killing Magagula on January 11, 2023. It is worth noting that the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) in its Second Quarter Report, stated that murder statistics increased by 93 per cent in the country.

Crime

The report stated that crime continued to be on an upswing and the situation needed to be brought under control lest the socio-economic stability of the country was compromised. “The nation’s concerns about crime have become strident, and the police service within its operational framework that is itself characterised by a host of challenges and incessant multiplication and diversification of responsibilities is doing its utmost to stem the tide against crime,” read the report in part.

It was reported that in terms of serious crimes that were proving to be a serious cause for concern, these were headlined by murders, armed robberies, sexual and gender-based violence cases, theft of copper cables, as well as the unrelenting arson attacks on both private and public property.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: