SOLDIER, 2 OTHERS HELD FOR THEFT OF 11 CARS

MANZINI – Three suspects, among them a member of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF), have been arrested for the theft of 11 Honda Fit vehicles valued at E372 000.

The trio; Sikelela Chico Mabuza (50), of Ebenezer, Bongani Fani Simelane (37), of Mbowane  and Fani Mxolisi Bhubezi Shongwe (38) of Sibetsamoya, appeared at the Manzini Magistrates Court. They were charged with 11 counts of contravening Section 3(1) of the Theft of Motor Vehicles Act 16/1991. In the first count, the trio was charged with that on January 19, 2023, at Logoba, Matsapha they purportedly stole a motor vehicle, a Honda Fit registered SSD 461 AL, which was cream white in colour.

Valued

The vehicle was stolen from Sibusiso Dlamini and it was valued at E26 000. The vehicle identification number (VIN) was said to be GD31805782, while the engine number is L15A1313905. In the second count, they were accused of stealing a grey Honda Fit registered USD 760 AS, with VIN number- GD12031738 and engine number L13A1855498 on January 26, 2023 while at Sicelwini. The vehicle was said to have been valued at E55 000. The three suspects were accused of stealing it while it was parked by Sizolwethu Zinhle Khumalo.

In the third count, they purportedly stole a powdered blue Honda Fit, while parked at Mbikwakhe, Matsapha. The vehicle was registered SSD 863 BM, with VIN number- GD11108306 and engine number L13A1190441. It was valued at E30 000 and was in the possession of Boy Magagula.
In the fourth count, they were accused of stealing a black Honda Fit registered JSD 869 CH, with VIN number- GD12339233, engine number:L13a2254684.

This offence was reportedly committed on February 5, 2023. The vehicle was said to have been stolen while parked at Mhlaleni, Matsapha and it is valued at E38 000. It was said to be the property or in the lawful possession of Nkosinathi Ntshakala. In the fifth count, the trio was accused of stealing a blue Honda Fit registered RSD 737 AL, with VIN number- GD11213735, engine number:L13A1239696. The vehicle was valued at E35 000 and it was supposedly stolen by the suspects while in the possession of Simon Dlamini at Mhlane Village, in Matsapha.

Accused

They were also accused of stealing a blue Honda Fit, registered MSD 966 BH at Mathangeni, Matsapha. The vehicle was said to have belonged to Derrick Fakudze and was valued at E36 000. In the seventh count, they were said to have, on May 16, 2023 at Mahlabatsini, stolen a silver grey Honda Fit registered WSD 484 CM valued at E40 000. The vehicle was said to have belonged to Themba Mbonane. They were further accused of stealing a powdered grey Honda Fit at mbhuleni on may 22, 2023, belonging to Celumusa Gamedze. It was valued at E25 000. The trio was remanded in custody until June 7, 2023, pending committal to the High court.  On the other hand, it was said that five of the vehicles had been recovered by the police and were in their custody.

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