FILLING STATION MANAGER HELD FOR E232 000 THEFT

MBABANE – A filling station manager has been arrested for allegedly stealing over E232 000 at work.

Nduduzo Dlamini (27) of Ngwenya under Chief Nsukumbili, allegedly committed the offence of theft between August 27, 2023 and May 22, 2024. He was employed by Eagles Transport and Logistics as a manager.  The accused was entrusted with the custody and care of money which belonged to the employer, or money which came to be in his possession on account of the employer. Dlamini appeared at the magistrates court and was remanded in custody. He applied for bail at the High Court. He was represented by Sipho Gumedze of VZ Dlamini Attorneys.   In his application for bail, Dlamini submitted that he was called by Mankayane police on June 18, 2024.

He was then arrested on allegations that he had stolen from his former employer, Eagles Transport (Proprietary) Limited trading as Cobonga Filing Station at Mankayane. Dlamini said the police told him that the offence was committed on various dates in 2024. He disputed the offences. “I did not steal from my previous employer, as it is alleged by the police. I intend to plead not guilty to the charge during trial.”

Guilty

He pleaded with the court to grant him bail. The accused alleged that he was not guilty of the offence. “I did not commit the offence with which I am charged.” Dlamini submitted that special circumstances existed for him to be admitted to bail. He told the court that he was currently employed by Lucky Malinga as an accountant in his business of selling motor vehicles.
He argued that his continued incarceration may lead to him losing his job. “The work that I do for my employer demands that I should be present at all times, as the business requires an accountant to be always present. My employer cannot keep the position vacant until such time that my case is concluded in court,” Dlamini told the court.

He submitted that if he was granted bail, the safety of the public or any person for that matter would not be endangered.“It is my further submission that, if released on bail, I will not commit any of the offences listed in Part II of the First Schedule in the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, 1938 (as amended). “Further, I submit that if admitted to bail I will not attempt to evade trial. I humble submit that I will not attempt to influence or intimidate witnesses. I will not conceal or destroy evidence for the Crown.” He also told the court that he would not undermine or jeopardise the objectives or the proper functioning of the criminal justice system, including the bail system.

Disturb

Further, he told the court that his release on bail would not disturb the public order or undermine the public peace or security. The accused said he was aware that he was facing a serious charge. However, he said he believed that it was not just the seriousness of a charge that mattered, but the evidence against the person that was crucial. He argued that there was no evidence against him that could influence him to flee the country. “Though I have been charged with an offence where stealing is a subject matter, I have no propensity to steal property. I have not previously stolen from anyone.

“I am a young adult who has a bright future ahead of him. I do not want to jeopardise my future. I also have minor children who are dependent on me as the mother is unemployed.”
The accused informed the court that he could afford bail amounting to E3 000 which he had raised with the assistance of his father. Judge Bongani Dlamini heard the accused’s bail application. The court granted his application and he was ordered to pay E6 000 of his E50 000 bail and provide surety for the balance.

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