Illegal car washers beat up city guard

MBABANE — Four Mozambican nationals who are car wash attendants have been detained since last Thursday after they beat up one of the security guards manning the city’s streets.

The four, first appeared at the Mbabane National Court on Tuesday and had their case postponed even yesterday.
The accused used to conduct their business at the popular car wash near the Theatre Club at the corner of Msakato and Zwide Streets.
However, since the ‘city police’ started working on April 1, 2010 (last Thursday) they have had their business shut down.
The accused allegedly thoroughly beat up the guard when he came at their place of business and told them to stop washing the cars.

He allegedly tried to take away their washing equipment including buckets, polish and brushes which is what irked the accused.
They are alleged to have thoroughly hit the guard using his own baton until he was rescued by his colleagues. When the Times team went to the National Court the suspects were found relaxing outside with no one watching them save for the security guard from the same company that mans the city- Gridlock Security.

The four alleged that they had been held at the Mbabane Police Station since Thursday and they were cold and hungry.
“Even yesterday we spent the whole day at the National Court and today it looks like it will be the same story, this is not fair,” said one of them.
A police officer inside the National Court said the car wash attendants would not have their case heard yesterday.
“There is no prosecutor and I think we will have their case postponed,” said the officer.

At the car wash about six security guards were found manning the area to ensure that no car washing took place.
Some of the attendants even suggested to motorists that there were alternative spots within the city centre where they could have their cars washed.

Since the security officers hit town last week car wash attendants and street vendors have lost a lot of income and the city’s streets have been rid of them except for airtime vendors.   

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